Private power company Imera Power is proposing to design, build and finance a €220m electricity interconnector linking the Britain and the Republic Ireland.
Imera says the planned submarine interconnector is a 500 megawatt cable, which will be connected to the UK transmission grid at a converter substation in North Wales and to the Irish transmission grid north of Dublin.
The company says it will shortly begin seeking the necessary permits and technical approvals for the construction of the cable from the Irish and British authorities.
Imera hopes the cable will be commissioned in 2008 and says the project is being financed by US and UK private investors. The company says it will be announcing a tendering process for the design and commissioning of the interconnector shortly.
Imera says the Interconnector will potentially allow UK-based suppliers to enter the Irish market and provides an alternative to cover potential deficits of generating capacity. 'Access to the interconnector when commissioned will be available to all electricity suppliers on an open and transparent basis,' it says.
Last year, then Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources Dermot Ahern backed the development of two interconnectors between Ireland and Wales.
The department described today's news as 'an interesting development', saying it looked forward to receiving more information.
