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Project Activity

The East-West Interconnector will connect the Irish power system to the electricity grid in Britain through undersea and underground cables. This infrastructure is vital to the development of Ireland's economy. The Interconnector will have a capacity of 500 Megawatts (MW). This is enough power to supply approximately 350,000 homes. The Interconnector is on target for completion in 2012. 

We are committed to keeping you fully informed about this project. We have received very positive feedback from local residents in Wales and Ireland in relation to the construction works for the EirGrid East West Interconnector. 

Thank you to everyone in Flint, Prestatyn, Fingal and Meath for their understanding and patience during this installation work.

Construction Works

Work on the installation of the EirGrid East West Interconnector is continuing in County Meath and Dublin. Thank you for your patience during any disruption that may be caused in your area during these temporary works.

Update week commencing 30th January 2012:

Construction work scheduled for week commencing 30/01/2012

Construction Update - Fingal 27 01 2012

Construction Update - Meath 27 01 2012

Update November 2011

EirGrid wishes to respond to comments made recently by Rush community council, in relation to the East West Interconnector, which may have caused unnecessary concern to local residents.  View full responses here: EirGrid Response to Rush Community Council November 2011 .

To view the full version of the independent KEMA safety report, click here .

If you have any questions in relation to the project please contact us on 1890 36 46 56 or by email at eastwestinterconnector@eirgrid.com

Update September 2011

A previously unrecorded archaeological site discovered in Rush Co. Dublin during installation of the Interconnector dates back to early medieval times.

A radiocarbon determination carried out at Queens University, Belfast, for the archaeological site has returned a date of AD 617 - 675. At this time the site was used as a burial ground .

Ongoing investigations under licence of the National Monuments Service will focus on the use of the site for burial and also on the possible existence of other features which may be associated with this use or which predate or postdate this phase of activity.

We have advised local archaeologists and are working with Fingal County Council and the National Monuments Service and will provide more detailed information to the public on the archaeological site as soon as we know more.

The current phase of defining the extent and content of the find is expected to be finished mid-late October.

Sponsorship of St Maurs GAA

EirGrid are delighted to be involved in a number of community projects in Fingal and Meath. On Friday 23rd September a team from EirGrid attended a very enjoyable night in St. Maur's GAA to celebrate the reopening of the clubhouse following the roof refurbishment project. It was fantastic to see the improvement the new roof has made to the clubhouse and also to witness the great spirit among all those involved in the club. 

Not only will the new roof keep the rain out, it will improve energy-efficiency, minimising running costs and reducing carbon emissions which are key issues for the energy section in which we operate. We wish all the teams and members continued success and all the very best.  

Update June 2011

A previously unrecorded burial ground was found on private land in Rush, near Rogerstown Estuary. The project archaeologist and osteoarchaeologist have informed the National Monuments Service and the National Museum.

A methodology statement for an archaeological survey has been submitted to these authorities for approval.  

It is expected the archaeologists will be given the go ahead from the authorities to commence the survey later this week or next week to determine the extent of the burial ground.

A report will be issued to the national monuments service and the national museum for them to determine what further actions will be undertaken.

Updates on this interesting find will be made available on this web page.

Update May 2011

EirGrid Community Fund Awards Grants

A total of 39 community groups from Ballyboughal and Rush were awarded grants under the EirGrid Community Fund.

The grants were presented to the Fingal clubs and associations who attended an evening event in the Bracken Court Hotel on Thursday 5th May. The evening was very enjoyable, with great excitement about the projects that will now be possible as a result of the funding. For a full list of clubs, see EirGrid Fingal Community Awards .

The EirGrid Community Fund was established in respect of the temporary disruption that residents in Fingal have experienced during the installation of the East West Interconnector and was administered by the Funding & Information Unit of Fingal County Council. 

Speaking on behalf of the East West Interconnector team, EirGrid Project Director John Fitzgerald said EirGrid fully appreciated the patience of the community throughout the works.

Construction Progress

Already over 80% of the duct installation has been completed in Ireland and works on both converter stations has commenced. There are currently over 180 people employed on this project and over 20 Irish companies. You can view the installation of Ireland's first power link to Britain on this very short video.

Update February 2011

Works are continuing in Meath and Fingal in February. If you have any feedback please contact us on 1890 36 46 56 or by email eastwestinterconnector@eirgrid.com

Fingal County Council have received over 50 applications for the EirGrid Community fund and expect to make a decision selecting a number of projects early in April. 

Update January 2011

Reminder to communties in Fingal, the closing date for applications for the community fund is January 31st 2011.

Contact EirGrid on 1890 36 46 56 or Fingal County Council on 01 8905108 to request an application form.

We are delighted to announce the launch of the grant scheme with a fund of €100,000 which is available to community groups in Fingal.

The grant funding scheme will be administered though the Funding & Information Unit of Fingal County Council. Community groups in Fingal are now invited to apply for funding. All voluntary and community groups working in the Rush and Ballyboughal areas are welcome to apply for funding between €1,000 and €8,000.

Application forms and criteria are available from the EirGrid Information Centre in Rush or you can request a copy by contacting Rowena Dunne, Fingal County Council on 01 8905108 or by post to Community, Culture and Sports Department, Fingal County Council, Main Street, Swords.

All applications should be made directly to Fingal County Council, Main Street, Swords.

The closing date for applications is 4pm on Monday 31st January 2011.

How will the interconnector be installed

To understand how the this electricty interconnector will work, why not take a few minutes to view an animation which demonstrates how the interconnector will be installed from Ireland to Wales:

The cables will connect underground to converter stations at Woodland, County Meath and Deeside, North Wales. The cables go underground from Rush to Woodland mainly along the public road network and will avoid urban areas as far as possible. Map of Interconnector Route Ireland

Project Activity

Licences and funding

This project is licenced by the energy regulators in both Ireland and the UK:

• Commission for Energy Regulation (Ireland)
• OFGEM (UK)

This project has been part funded by the EU TEN-E Initiative.

The East West Interconnector will represent an investment of €600 million. EirGrid were granted a loan of up to €300 million  from the European Investment Bank.

The balance of the EirGrid East West Interconnector will be funded by a combination of further capital investment from commercial banks, EirGrid equity and a €110 million grant from the EU Commission for interconnection.