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FAQs

1. When will work commence in the Cork Harbour area?
2. Why is this work necessary?
3. Will there be much traffic disruption?
4. Where can I get more information?
5. Where will these lines be installed?
6. Are there any health affects from thes lines?
7. What are the benefits?
8. Will the proposed cable installation affect marine life in the harbour?
9. What is involved in the installation process?
10. Will there be much disruption to harbour activities during the installation period?
11. Are the cables oil filled?
12. Who is consulted when seeking permission to install these cables?

1. When will work commence in the Cork Harbour area?

Work on these projects commenced in Summer 2008 and will terminate in Spring 2011. The work will be carried out in four (4) stages as follows:

• Installation of the 1km of cable from Aghada 220kV station to the new ESB generating plant at Long Point took place between July 2008 and January 2009.
• Installation of the 4km of cable from Aghada 220kV station to the new Bord Gais Generating Plant at Glanagow is now complete.
• Installation of the 6km of land and sea cable between Cow Cross and Aghada is estimated to take place between winter 2009 and autumn 2010.
• Installation of the 8km of land and sea cable between Glanagow and Raffeen is estimated to take place within the period of spring 2010 to spring 2011.

2. Why is this work necessary?

Two new generating plants are locating in the area of Cork Harbour. EirGrid as the operator of the national electricity system in Ireland is responsible for providing a connection to a new generation customer in order to allow them to export power via the transmission system or grid.

In order to accommodate these new generators, EirGrid carried out studies to identify the most feasible solution to connect them to the national high voltage
electricity system. The new circuit across the main channel of Cork Harbour coupled with completion of the Aghada Raffeen circuit will provide security of
supply and access to high quality bulk power to the Munster region. Once completed in 2011 approximately 25% of Ireland’s generation capacity shall come from the Cork Harbour Area.

3. Will there be much traffic disruption?

A full traffic management plan will be submitted to Cork County Council. We will be working together to minimise disruption and ensure that appropriate traffic control measures and associated diversions are put in place.

4. Where can I get more information?

More information can be received by contacting the Project Manager as per details below:

Tel: +353 (0)21 4666266

Email: corkharbourprojects@eirgrid.com

Address: Cork Harbour Cable Projects,  Emmett House Barrick Square, Ballincollig, County Cork

5. Where will these lines be installed?

ESB Generating Plant Connection
This circuit will run from Aghada 220kV station to a new 220kV station at Long Point within the Aghada power generation station. The length of the route is approximately 1km. The majority of the route will be within the ESB Power Generation compound in Aghada.

Bord Gais Generating Plant Connection
This circuit will run from Agahda 220kV station to a new 220kV station at Glanagow within the Conoco Philips oil refinery area. The length of this route is approximately 4km and will be installed along the road running from Aghada through Whitegate to Conoco Philips.

Completetion of Aghada Raffeen Circuit
The Cowcross to Aghada cable is required for the completion of the Aghada to Raffeen 220kV circuit. Cable will be installed from Cowcross to Aghada underland to Cuskinny Bay and then undersea to Aghada. The circuit will run underground from Cowcross to an area close to Cuskinny Bay on the Great Island. The circuit will then be brought undersea across the East Channel to a cable entry point within the ESB Power Generation site at Aghada.

Construction of Glanagow Raffeen Circuit
The Glanagow to Raffeen circuit will be constructed underground from a new substation within the Bord Gais Eireann compound in Whitegate as far as the existing Raffeen 220kV station adjacent to Carrigaline. This circuit is at an early stage of route planning. It is envisaged that the cable shall enter the sea within the Whitegate oil refinery compound and cross the main channel of the harbour to a sea entry point close to the entrance to the old Irish Steel site, south of Spike Island.

6. Are there any health affects from thes lines?

EirGrid fully complies with the guidelines set by the international authorities on electricity and health. These guidelines are set by the International Commission on Non Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and recommended by the World Health Organisation. The Irish network is in full compliance with the most up-todate international and EU guidelines and recommendations relating to public and staff EMF exposure.

7. What are the benefits?

These circuits have a number of key strategic benefits that are of national importance:

• Facilitate new generators to export electricity
• Support economic growth and development in the Cork area
• Ensure a security of supply for the future
• Support industry in Cork when competing forbusiness and inward investment
• Ensure that bulk high quality power

8. Will the proposed cable installation affect marine life in the harbour?

A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assesment is being prepared for both cable crossings and a full impact assessment shall be carried out on all marine life as well as on the surrounding flora and fauna within the proposed installation areas. EirGrid will be consulting with all groups who have concerns with environmental disruption.

9. What is involved in the installation process?

A civil engineering contractor will be required to install the cable ducts and joint bays under the public road. Following on from this a separate team would pull and joint the sections of cable. Installation of underground cable by its nature is a relatively benign process.

The installation of the submarine cable shall be carried out after detailed consultation with Port of Cork Company to ensure that the installation phase has as little impact on commercial ship traffic as possible. In this instance the cable shall be floated out across the harbour from a special cable laying ship or barge. A winch shall be used to pull it ashore at the landfalls and once secured the floats shall be removed and it shall be laid on the sea bed. Following this process the cable shall be jetted into the seabed by a special remote controlled vehicle.

10. Will there be much disruption to harbour activities during the installation period?

EirGrid will work closely with all stakeholders, in particular the Port of Cork Company and local fishing and sailing groups to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. It is expected that the installation across both the East Channel and Main Channel will take approximately 4-6 weeks to complete in each case. A full safety management plan to take account of any potential disruption will be prepared in close cooperation with the Port of Cork before any installation work commences.

11. Are the cables oil filled?

No. These cables have been developed due to recent advances in the materials available. This new material, plastic cross-linked polyethylene (XPLE), is low
maintenance and, should either cable be damaged or severed, no oil leaks will result.

12. Who is consulted when seeking permission to install these cables?

A Foreshore Licence can only be granted by the Minister with responsibility for the Marine and is required for the installation of subsea cables.
The foreshore licence for these two cable projects will be submitted with respective comprehensive Environmental impact reports outlining potential
impacts of both cable installations on the surrounding environment. Applications for the foreshore licences will be advertised in local newspapers.
These documents will be in the public domain during the consultation phase of this project. The environmental report will take into account the following issues:

• Justification, including assessment of alternatives
• Project description
• Project impact - landscape, noise, flora and fauna, soil and land use, water, health, air, climate, archaeology and cultural heritage, and socio-economic impact