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

Project Activity

December 2011

The expected publication date of the Stage 2 Report is early 2012. This Stage 2 report will show the indicative 110 kV Laois-Ballyragget overhead line route, the preferred Laois substation location and also the connection routes and types from the existing 400 kV and 110 kV overhead lines to the new substation. The report including all associated appendices and mapping will be published on this website and notice advising of the arrangements for subsequent Open Days will also be placed in local newspapers at this time.  Again, members of the Project Team will be in attendance at the Open Days to answer any questions you may have.

November 2011

The majority of land surveys are now complete and EirGrid are proceeding with drafting the Stage 2 Report with an expected publication date in late 2011 / early 2012. This Stage 2 report will show the indicative 110 kV Laois-Ballyragget overhead line route, the preferred Laois substation location and also the connection routes and types from the existing 400 kV and 110 kV overhead lines to the new substation. The project team wishes to thank everybody for their patience in facilitating these recent surveys.

September 2011

We are continuing our preparation of the Stage 2 Report. This report will identify the preferred route corridor, the indicative line route within that corridor and also the preferred substation sites (Laois and Ballyragget). We expect this to be published in December 2011. Further open days and/or information centres will take place upon publication of this report.

In response to some of the typical questions we have received in relation to the Laois Kilkenny Project, we have published the following FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document.

Frequently Asked Questions Document September 2011

If you have any other questions relating to this proposed project, please do not hesitate to contact us.

June 2011

EirGrid would like to thank all members of the public who attended the recent public information days in Kilkenny and Portlaoise on the 9th and 10th of June last.

The Laois Kilkenny Reinforcement Project is critical to improve the quality and the security of the electricity supply to the region, including Laois, Kilkenny, Carlow, Kildare and Wicklow and will facilitate balanced regional development and a platform for economic growth. The project team is available to answer any queries relating to this necessary reinforcement and would encourage interested parties to continue to engage with us throughout the next stages of the project.

The next public information day is on June 21st from 3pm to 7pm at Canon Malone Hall, Ballyragget and all are welcome to come in and meet the team, look at the maps and access clear, accurate information about the project.

Open Days

• Thursday 9th June 2011, River Court Hotel, Kilkenny, 10am-7pm
• Friday 10th June 2011, Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise, 10am-7pm

 May 2011

The Phase 1 Lead Consultant’s Report is now complete and available to be downloaded here. This report identifies the Lead Consultant’s emerging preferred substation site for the 400/110 kV substation in Laois and also the emerging preferred route corridor for the 110 kV circuit between Laois and Ballyragget. The Phase 1 Report is reliant on a number of detailed reports which are available to view in the Appendices.

Key Findings:

For the purposes of this update the key findings can be summarised as follows:
• The emerging preferred substation technology for the 400/110 kV substation is Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS ). This is the smallest and most compact station type.
• The emerging preferred location for the 400/110 kV site is located on the southern boundary of the substation study area, close to the existing 110 kV overhead line. This will necessitate connections from the existing overhead lines.
• The emerging preferred technology for the 110 kV circuit is overhead line.
• The emerging preferred route corridor for the 110 kV overhead line between Laois and Ballyragget stations is identified. The map also shows other corridors that were assessed.

A Phase 1 Briefing Brochure summarises the findings to date and is available to be downloaded at the following link:

Laois Kilkenny Reinforcement Project Briefing Document May 2011

Next Steps

Phase/Stage 2 now commences with a four week consultation phase where we will consult on the findings of the report with stakeholder bodies including members of the general public. This can be done through any of the communication channels listed.

Further ‘Information Days’, where members of the project team will be available to discuss any of the findings. are also scheduled for :
• Thursday 9th June 2011, River Court Hotel, Kilkenny, 10am-7pm
• Friday 10th June 2011, Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise, 10am-7pm

At the end of the 4 week phase (Friday 24th June 2011) all original emerging preferences will be evaluated in respect of any submissions made with a view to confirming preferred findings. 

April 2011

The Phase 1 Report, identifying the emerging preferred substation location in Laois and the emerging preferred route corridor between Laois and Ballyragget is undergoing final review and will be published online shortly.

March 2011

We have produced indicative photomontages of the two types of substation that are under consideration for the  400/110 kV substation in Laois. Both Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) or Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) technologies are being considered. It should be noted that the images are primarily for comparison purposes and have been placed on a generic background. No landscaping or screening is shown at this stage. Please click on the links to view the attachments.

EirGrid personnel remain available to discuss these next steps and answer any queries.

February 2011

Studies and reports are ongoing in order to select a suitable substation site and preferred substation technology, either Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) or Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) for the station in Laois. Once complete the route selection process for the 110kV circuit will commence, culminating in the identification of an emerging preferred route corridor between Laois and Ballyragget. It is intended to release both findings by way of a combined report in early April 2011.

Please find attached Project Roadmap which details the overall process: Laois Kilkenny Project Planning Application Road Map

December 2010

Studies and reports are ongoing in order to select a suitable substation site and preferred substation technology (AIS / GIS). We expect this to be finalised early in the new year. Once complete the route selection process will commence, culminating in the identification of an emerging preferred route corridor for the 110 kV circuit between Laois and Ballyragget.

EirGrid personnel remain available to discuss these next steps and answer any queries.

It is now envisaged that a Planning Application will be lodged with the appropriate Planning Authority in Q3 2011.

October 2010

To assist the reader in viewing the ‘Constraints Map’ and understanding the types of constraint found in the Project Study Area, we have produced the following report, Description of Project Constraints .

The latest Constraints Map (12.79 MB) supersedes the previous revision uploaded in June 2010.

As some constraints may overlap with other constraints, in addition to the master map above, to assist viewing, we also have produced three ‘sub-maps’ which separate the constraints into appropriate groupings. These are:

• ESB and Bord Gais Data (9.1 MB)
• Natural and Archaeological Constraints (12.4 MB)
• County Development Plan Designations (9.44 MB)

Our consultants are now attempting to identify a suitable substation site in Laois and also suitable route corridors between the proposed Laois and Ballyragget substations. These corridors will then be assessed with one emerging preferred corridor recommended. A further stage of public consultation will then commence. It is anticipated that this will take place before the end of 2010.

July 2010

EirGrid are currently assessing input and feedback received to date on the ‘Constraints Map’.

June 2010

Following the publication of notice in local newspapers in October 2009, a project ‘Constraints Map’ has now been published.

The Constraints Map is available to view here:  Constraints Map - Lo-Res  | Constraints Map - Hi-Res. These maps are now superseded (see Oct 2010 update).

The Constraints Map forms the basis for the identification of potential route corridors for the 110 kV circuit between the proposed substations in Laois and Kilkenny.

We invite members of the public to view the Constraints Map and make any submissions, comments, information or queries in relation to it. Feedback can be submitted by email, letter or phone and should be received by close of business on Friday 23rd July 2010.

Additionally public information days were held in:

• The River Court Hotel, Kilkenny on 17th June 2010 between 10am-7pm
• The Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise on 18th June 2010 between 10am-7pm

All information collected will assist in determining potential route corridors for the 110 kV circuit. To make an appointment please contact us through the communication channels listed.

Notice of this appeared in local newspapers during the week of 14th June 2010.

A copy of that notice is available to view here: Newspaper Notice 2

October 2009

EirGrid are currently identifying constraints within the project study area.

A study area is the broad geographical area within which potential alternative route corridors are located.

Some examples of constraints include environmentally sensitive areas, infrastructure, existing buildings and areas of archaeological importance.

A map of the study area is shown here: Map of Study Area

EirGrid placed a notice in local newspapers week commencing 26th October 2009, seeking public consultation on identification of constraints within the study area.

A copy of the newspaper notice can be seen here: Newspaper Notice 1