Landowners along the planned North-South Interconnector electricity line are to be offered €50,000 for each pylon they allow on their land.

Eirgrid, the operator of the national grid, has written to around 400 landowners this week in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, detailing the compensation payments being offered.

In a statement Eirgrid said the North-South Interconnector is ''critical to ensuring we have an electricity grid that is fit for purpose, provides security of supply, and is robust and capable of facilitating renewable clean energy into the future.''

As well as €50,000 for each pylon, landowners could also receive €48,000 for 300m of overhead line that cross their lands.

Eirgrid described the compensation as "fair" and said its staff will be liaising with landowners in the coming weeks to answer any questions they may have.

The North South Interconnector would connect the electricity grids of Ireland and Northern Ireland with a 138 kilometre line through counties Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Armagh and Tyrone.

It would see 400 pylons erected along the line.

The plans have been met with local opposition for many years, with repeated calls from local people, landowners and public representatives for the lines to put put underground.

Earlier this year, a review concluded that the interconnector cannot be put underground because it would not be as reliable and stable as it would need to be.

The project has received planning permission in both jurisdictions.