Ireland Powers Up Electricity Grid Overhaul

---

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) -- Ireland's renewable energy goals are being boosted by the latest in a series of significant overhauls to its electricity grid.

Irish state-owned grid operator, EirGrid (Dublin), is pushing ahead with its Grid West Project in the west of Ireland. The project, which will now enter the public consultation phase, will help harness the large number renewable energy projects planned for the west of the country, considered to be the best region for wind energy.

Initially, Grid West will see a new high capacity power line laid linking Bellacorick in County Mayo to a strong point on the transmission grid. Based on the region's huge renewable potential, Eirgrid said that this will then grow to incorporate two high capacity power lines from Bellacorick, County Mayo, to both Cashla in County Galway and Flagford in County Roscommon. Eirgrid appointed Tobin Consulting Engineers (Galway, Ireland) to lead a consortium on the first phase of the €240 million ($306 million) Grid West Project in January this year. The project is part of the larger €3.2 billion ($4 billion) Grid25 redevelopment strategy for the Irish electricity grid. For additional information, see January 9, 2012, article - Investment for Western Ireland Grid Development Totals €240 Million.

The upgrading of Ireland's electricity infrastructure is seen as not just key to harnessing renewable energy but to helping Ireland become an electricity exporter to the U.K. and boosting its weak economy. Grid West was officially opened by the country's political leader, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.

"As Ireland fights to regain economic sovereignty and put ourselves back on a path to recovery and growth, it is essential that we maximise the use of our indigenous resources, whether it is our people, our land or our natural resources," Kenny said. "The West of Ireland is particularly rich in renewable energy resources and has the potential for much job creation. Harnessing and exploiting this resource for Ireland will require detailed planning involving high levels of engagement between communities and Eirgrid that will allow the construction of critical infrastructure for the benefit of the West and for Ireland. This infrastructure will also assist the region to attract inward investment that requires a strong reliable source of power."

Dermot Byrne, EirGrid Chief Executive, added: "This major initiative will put in place a safe, secure and affordable electricity supply throughout Ireland. It is a major undertaking which will take several years and represents an investment of €3.2 billion. The Grid West project is the one of the largest single Grid25 projects and the most significant in the west, initially accounting for €240m of the investment earmarked for the region".

Last month, Eirgrid announced the €500 million ($654 million) Grid Link Project to upgrade the existing grid and construct a new power line linking the regions of Leinster and Munster in the east and south of the Ireland, respectively. For additional information, see April 19, 2012, article - Ireland's EirGrid Proposes €500 Million Grid Project.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, and eight offices outside of North America, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.