ESB National Grid and Northern Ireland Electricity have announced plans for a second electricity interconnector between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The cost of the project is estimated at €180m, and the companies say the link should start operating by the end of 2012. They say the project will facilitate competition, strengthening the security of supply and supporting the growth of renewable energy.
The existing interconnector from Tandragee to Louth has a capacity of 300 megawatts, enough for around 300,000 homes. The second link, which will built west of the existing connection, will more than double the existing capacity.
The two companies say they will consult public representatives and other interested parties about the route. Regulators north and south are backing the project, and they will decide on funding arrangements for construction and operating the interconnector at a later date.
ESB National Grid operates the transmission system in the Republic. It is currently a ring-fenced division of ESB, but is due to be taken over by a separate state-owned company called EirGrid. Viridian owns Northern Ireland Electricity.
