• Parent
• Overview
• Health & Safety
• Environment
• Benefits
• Project Activity

Overview

EirGrid is building an electricity link called the East-West Interconnector between the electricity grids of Ireland and Britain. The Interconnector will help to ensure Ireland always has enough electricity to meet your needs into the future. It can also be used to export any excess energy that is produced here to markets in Britain.

The connection is being built between Rush North Beach, Co. Dublin in Ireland  and Barkby Beach, North Wales in Britain.

Read more about the benefits of the new East-West Interconnector.

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Health

We are absolutely committed to your safety at all times.

See our Health & Safety section for the latest information in relation to the East West Interconnector.

Is it important that people have  factual information concerning the East West Interconnector. See Facts about the Interconnector Issue 1 .

The static magnetic field generated directly above the interconnector is similar to the earth’s natural magnetic field which is 49 microTesla in Ireland. To compare this to everyday sources of static magnetic fields, the earphones of a portable music player generate 28,000 microTesla and a fridge magnet generates 22,000 microTesla, and they are accepted as perfectly safe.
 
The East West Interconnector will operate far, far below the latest international guidelines which are set by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) which is a body of independent scientific experts in non-ionising radiation and is formally recognised by the World Health Organisation. The ICNIRP guideline for general public exposure is 400,000 microTesla.

The East West Interconnector will be in full compliance with the most up-to-date international and EU standard power system electric and magnetic field (EMF) exposure guidelines. The exposure guidelines are published by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), and were used as the basis of those adopted by the EU.  See www.icnirp.de/documents/statgdl.pdf 

There are over 300 kilometres of high voltage underground electricity cables in Dublin City, including residential areas.

Regarding the risk of  accidentally digging up the cable, many measures are taken to ensure your safety. The cable will be contained within a heavy duty plastic duct which is surrounded by different layers of protection, which include, lean mix concrete, protective tiles, and plastic warning tapes. As the cable is in the public road, a road opening licence is required before digging. 

Learn how we are addressing your health concerns associated with this project.

Project activity & progress

Construction of this project is well advanced with 95% of road ducting installed in Wales and 86% in Ireland.  

For a project of this size, some disruption to traffic may occur during construction. However we will be working with local authorities and community groups to put traffic plans in place and to resolve any problems that you foresee.

If you have any questions – you can always contact us to add your contact details to receive updates on works happening in your area.

Find out more about activity and progress on this project. 

Planning Approval

An Bord Pleanála granted full planning permission to EirGrid in September 2009.

The  full application is available for viewing or download at the dedicated planning application website which is: www.eirgrideastwestinterconnector.ie

Construction of the interconnector commenced in July 2010.

Many thanks for your patience while these works are underway.