North-South Interconnector

11. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the delivery of the North-South interconnector project. [76814/26]

14. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the North-South interconnector project. [77397/26]

I would like an update on the North-South interconnector. I am seeking an update on the current status of the project, particularly regarding the Government's position on the proposed overhead route. This has been an ongoing issue for the past 20 years in counties Monaghan and Meath. There is a lot of anxiety in the counties concerned. I would like the Minister of State to make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 14 together. The North-South interconnector is one of the most important electricity transmission projects under way in the State. The Government fully supports its delivery. It will link the electricity networks of Ireland and Northern Ireland, leading to more secure, affordable and sustainable supply of electricity across the island. The European network of transmission system operators currently estimates that the project will deliver a cost saving of €120 million per annum to households and businesses across the island of Ireland by 2040. The North-South interconnector is an excellent example of the critical infrastructure that the Government is determined to accelerate. In July, the Government designated the North-South interconnector, along with Moneypoint's 400 kV series capacitor and the Letterkenny 110 kV station redevelopment as critical infrastructure under the Critical Infrastructure Act. Since their designations, the Moneypoint and Letterkenny projects have both received grants of planning and are progressing towards delivery. The North-South interconnector is awaiting a decision from the relevant local authorities in respect of the discharge of planning conditions. Having engaged directly with the council on the criticality of the project, I am aware that acceleration efforts are under way to include the appointment of a project co-ordinator. I look forward to the start of construction of this project once the planning condition has been discharged. Regarding community engagement, the North-South interconnector is being undertaken by EirGrid, including design and operations of the transmission system. As the project developer, it has been engaging and continues to engage with the affected landowners and communities along the route. This is in line with what the Government expects of EirGrid and is aligned with the 2012 Government policy statement on the strategic importance of transmission and other energy infrastructure. The Deputies will be aware, as I am, that there is some local opposition to the project and in particular to the fact it is being delivered as an overhead line. EirGrid, as the project developer, has determined the project must be delivered as an overhead line and the Government has accepted the expert opinion. The notion of undergrounding the project has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions dating back to 2008, with corresponding independent reports published finding an overhead line is the most appropriate means of delivery. Most recently, in March 2023 the Government noted and published an independent report into the project that concluded it was not feasible to run the North-South interconnector underground, thereby confirming the 2018 report remains valid. However, public support is key in enabling delivery of the project and this is why it plays such a crucial role in EirGrid's plan. In March EirGrid wrote to affected landowners to update them on the project and outlining that ESB, as owner of the electricity grid, had decided to progress the project using its statutory wayleave powers for the placement of cables and pylons on the required land. EirGrid again updated landowners in October and funding for the project has been provided by the CRU's price review 6. Decisions will be made in regard to recouping that cost through network tariffs.

In recent weeks I, along with other Oireachtas Members, met with the councillors and the executive of Monaghan County Council to discuss this project and the significant concerns being raised locally. There are serious objections from the communities who will be directly affected by the proposed overgrounding of the interconnector. These concerns cannot be ignored. I served on Monaghan County Council and councillors from all political parties and none were united in the position that the interconnector should be underground. There has always been a strong belief locally that this is the fairest and most appropriate solution. I also emphasise the importance of meaningful and proper consultation between EirGrid and the communities affected. People deserve to be listened to, have their concerns taken seriously and be given clear answers. I thank the Minister of State for the update on where the project currently stands but we need to address the concerns of the communities in counties Monaghan and Meath.

I share those real concerns as a TD for Meath. The Minister of State's response has similarities to what we have been hearing for years. He said there was "some local opposition" but there is massive local opposition to this project. Fundamental to that is overgrounding versus undergrounding the project has not been appropriately assessed. The Minister of State pointed to the report from 2023 but it does not say it is not viable to go underground and it is very critical of EirGrid and how it has conducted its analysis over the years. Until we get that issue addressed, there will not be community support for this. If an adequate review is done it will show undergrounding is viable and this project can be delivered.

I thank Deputies Maxwell and O'Rourke for raising these concerns. I am aware of how sensitive it is in both their constituencies and will certainly relay those concerns to the Minister and the Department. In my initial reply, I said the option of undergrounding has been comprehensively assessed by means of independent reports and expert analysis and several independent reports on the project have been published going back to 2008. I think we are all in agreement on how critical this project is to Ireland's energy security. Regarding the themes that have emerged from the reports, one is that the undergrounding of the project would be up to three times more expensive than the overhead option and another is that the overhead line is the most appropriate option from a technical perspective. The project would benefit so many people in regard to Ireland's energy security. Undergrounding has not provided the system stability and reliability benefits overhead lines have provided. This has been referenced on many occasions but we are not going to solve it on the floor of the House. I am sure the Deputies have extensively assessed the many reports that have been published. EirGrid will continue to engage with the local authorities and the landowners as part of community engagement, which is key for an successful project to be delivered.

Over the last 20 years, we have assessed a number of reports but in September 2020, following the restoration of the power-sharing Executive, the then Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon, granted planning permission for the overground section. Construction has started, including tower work, etc., with final energisation expected around October 2031. Local campaign groups in Armagh and Tyrone continue legal challenges and raise concerns over the visual impact and pylon placement, with undergrounding being repeatedly rejected by independent reviews due to stability and reliability. In an answer to me, the then Minister, John O'Dowd of Sinn Féin, wrote that he could not undo the grant by Ms Mallon due to the possible monetary implications. This is before the courts in Northern Ireland and if they find in favour of the undergrounding of the Northern Ireland section, what will our position be for counties Monaghan and Meath? Could we have the Northern section underground and the southern section overground? Farmers and landowners are resolute in their opposition to the overgrounding of this line and that has been the case since 2006 when this project was first presented. At this late stage, I ask those concerns to be looked at again.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. My deep concern about this project is that Government is being led by EirGrid on it when EirGrid has an incredibly bad track record with this project in particular, and it is exceptional in its approach to this project. The idea we have extended powers now through the Critical Infrastructure Act is completely the wrong approach. This project will not be delivered by forcing it through, such is the level of local opposition. I have a request for the Minister of State. The 2023 report is 25 pages long. I ask him to read it because what he is saying from the Department's notes does not reflect what is in that report. There is a way forward here and it involves an independent assessment of overgrounding versus undergrounding. If that happens I believe it will point towards undergrounding and this project can be delivered. Otherwise we are on the road to nowhere.

Again, I think we all appreciate the importance of this project. It is a critical infrastructure project which the Government is committed to delivering. The project has been highlighted as part of the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. That includes €100 million in savings electricity users on the island can expect to see once the project is delivered. It is expected to be energised by October 2031. It is progressing. It is going to happen. Engagement is ongoing between EirGrid, ESB Networks and the relevant local authorities in regard to their discharge with the required documentation. The planning conditions are commencing and construction is commencing. It is critical it be delivered and benefit all of Ireland in regard to our electrification process.