The construction of an additional electricity interconnector to Britain by 2030 is one of a number of key plans contained in a new policy on interconnection that has been approved by the Cabinet.
The National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection also proposes that consideration be given to building a second connection into France, as well as links to Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The aim of the proposed plans are to start boosting Ireland's interconnection capacity now in order to have the necessary infrastructure in place for when Ireland is in a position to begin exporting electricity generated from offshore wind and other renewables.
It will also make Ireland's national grid less reliant on a small number of other countries at times when it needs to import electricity and boost capacity.
"The integrated forward planning approach outlined within this policy statement, will be aligned with offshore renewable energy forward planning, enabling the delivery of necessary infrastructure to facilitate our energy ambitions," said Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan.
"It will also better integrate European electricity markets, and by using more diversified energy markets, this will improve our electricity security and resilience.
"Our approach will also help lower energy prices and play a central role in Ireland's journey to a Net Zero power system."
Currently, Ireland has just one interconnector - the 500MW East West Interconnector - that links Ireland and Great Britain via a submarine cable running between here and Wales.
A second 500MW link between Wexford and Pembrokeshire in Wales, called Greenlink, is currently being completed and is due to come into use next year.
The 575km Celtic Interconnector, which will run between Cork and France, is due to be operational in 2027.
But the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has decided that further interconnectivity will be required as the rollout of offshore wind ramps up.
The policy, signed off by the Cabinet, also commits to develop an Offshore Transmission Strategy and to the exploration of the potential for multipurpose interconnectors in order to maximise export opportunities and facilitate offshore renewable energy development.
Multipurpose interconnectors are subsea power cables that connect one country to another, while also connecting offshore generation to the shore.
The policy also envisages the integration of forward planning for interconnectors with new phases in offshore renewable energy developments.
Consideration is also to be given under the policy to further interconnection that may be required to support the export of renewable electricity for other uses, such as green hydrogen production.
The development of the new policy follows the commissioning of an external analysis of Ireland's interconnector needs up to 2050, which was completed in February.
A public consultation also took place, with 21 responses received, in the main from industry.
