Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien (pictured) has welcomed news that a new subsea electricity interconnector linking Ireland and the UK has commenced operations.
The 500MW Greenlink Interconnector recently entered its “commercial operations” phase following a successful testing period, and a three-year construction period.
In addition to the existing East-West Interconnector – which was commissioned in 2012 – this new interconnector will now double the State’s interconnection capacity to 1GW.
It marks a significant milestone in Ireland’s journey to a more connected and energy secure island, while supporting the transition towards a net-zero energy future.
Electricity interconnectors provide a way to share electricity between countries, and are valuable back-up power supplies for when electricity systems have reduced capacity.
New interconnections also allow for increased energy imports in the case of an adverse shock, which may occur during extreme weather events.
The Greenlink Interconnector has also been recognised as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) – key cross-border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of European countries, and is considered to be of strategic importance.
As a PCI, the project secured funding under the Connecting Europe Facility.
The role of interconnection will increase in importance as the renewable energy sector becomes a larger proportion of supply in the Irish and European electricity system, both in relation to the import and export of electricity.
Proposed new interconnection developments, aligned with Ireland’s growing renewable energy sector, will enable the State to transition from a net importer to a net exporter of electricity, according to the Irish government.
Minister O’Brien said: “I want to congratulate the team at Greenlink for bringing this critical piece of energy infrastructure for Ireland and the UK to life.
“I want to thank the CRU, EirGrid and ESB Networks, who have played a crucial role in the consideration and delivery of this project.
“I also want to thank our UK and Welsh partners for achieving this milestone, and look forward to future collaboration in this area.
“This project is a tangible expression of our ever-strengthening energy relationship with the UK, and highlights the value and benefits which international energy collaboration can bring.
“Increased electricity interconnection will be a key enabler in our growing use of renewable energy, facilitating the delivery of the necessary infrastructure to support our energy ambitions in our journey to a net-zero power system.
“Interconnection will also play an important role in our transition to become a net energy exporter, making Ireland central to wider European energy plans.
“The role of interconnection is a large part of our wider energy ambitions, and State is taking an integrated forward planning approach to interconnection, which is aligned with offshore renewable energy forward planning.”
The UK’s Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, added”: It is important that Ireland and the UK work together to strengthen our mutual energy security, and drive forward in reaching our clean energy potential.
“This cable between Wexford and Wales will help deliver our Clean Power 2030 mission and support Ireland’s renewable expansion by allowing us to trade more cheaper-to-generate clean energy with each other, helping both nations to move away from volatile fossil fuel markets.”