Celtic Interconnector

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Celtic Interconnector
Location
CountryIreland, France
Coordinates52°0′0″N 8°0′0″W / 52.00000°N 8.00000°W / 52.00000; -8.00000 (Celtic Interconnector - Ireland)
48°0′0″N 4°0′0″W / 48.00000°N 4.00000°W / 48.00000; -4.00000 (Celtic Interconnector - France)
General directionnorth-south
FromKnockraha, Ireland
Passes throughCeltic Sea
ToLa Martyre, France
Ownership information
PartnersEirGrid, RTE
Construction information
Expected2026
Technical information
Typesubmarine cable
Type of currentHVDC
Total length575 km (357 mi)
Power rating700 MW
DC voltage± 320 kV or ± 500 kV

Celtic Interconnector is a proposed 700 MW HVDC submarine power cable between the southern coast of Ireland and the north-west coast of France.[1]

If built, it will be the first interconnector between the two countries.

Route[]

See also: Knockraha and La Martyre

The cable with run between the Knockraha substation in County Cork to the La Martyre substation in Finistère.[2]

Of its total length of 575 km (357 miles), 500 km (311 miles) would pass through Irish, British and French waters[1] of the Celtic Sea.

Current status[]

As of August 2021, the project is at step five, the planning process. This is expected to continue until 2022.[3]

Step six, construction and energisation is scheduled to take place from 2022-2026.[3]

Technical specification[]

The electrical interconnector, which would be the first between the two countries, has an expected cost of €1 billion and a planned capacity of 700 MW,[1] i.e. an annual transmission capacity of 6.1 TWh.

The project also includes plans for a direct fibre optic communications link between Ireland and France.[4][5]

Project promoters[]

The project is a cooperation between the Irish transmission system operator (TSO) EirGrid and French TSO Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE) for the purpose of improving security of supply, reducing consumer electricity costs and supporting the development of renewable energy.[1][6]

Project history[]

In December 2020, EirGrid and RTE signed a €520 million European Commission funding agreement for the Celtic Interconnector.[7]

By 2019, due to the potential impact of Brexit on electricity trading over the existing Ireland – UK HVDC interconnectors, planning for the Celtic Interconnector had accelerated.[8]

In May 2018, the project was granted a foreshore license to begin marine surveys for the potential landing sites at Ballinwilling, Claycastle and Redbarn beaches, County Cork.[9]

The project has been given preliminary approval for European Investment Bank funding as part of preparations by Ireland for Brexit,[10] for €530 million.[11] The project has been designated a European Project of Common Interest as part of the European Super Grid.[12]

In July 2016, after completion of a feasibility study the two countries agreed to proceed with a two-year planning phase.[6] This included an economic assessment, environmental considerations and will determine the placement of the cable and onshore stations, while a decision initially due on the project is foreseen for 2020 or 2021.[13]

Three potential landing sites on the Cork coast were identified and six locations (Ballyadam, Leamlara, Knockraha, Pigeon Hill, Kilquane and Ballyvatta) were under consideration for the HVDC converter station.[14]

As of 2021, the cable was expected to be operational by 2026.[1][15]

See also[]

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "President Hollande and An Taoiseach Kenny agree €1 billion Ireland-France Electricity Interconnector". 4coffshore.com. 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  2. ^ "Celtic Interconnector: interconnection project between France and Ireland". RTE. RTE. p. Overview:What does the Celtic Interconnector Project entail?. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Celtic Interconnector". EirGrid. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Celtic Interconnector". eirgridgroup.com. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  5. ^ "EUR 4 million EU funding for proposed electricity link between France and Ireland - Energy - European Commission". ec.europa.eu. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  6. ^ a b Hunt, Gordon (2016-07-21). "Subsea electricity cable linking Ireland and France powers ahead". siliconrepublic.com. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  7. ^ "EirGrid and RTE Sign €530 million Funding Agreement for the Celtic Interconnector". Celtic Interconnector. 9 Dec 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Part of €930m Celtic Interconnector may run along former Midleton-Youghal railway". 8 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage".
  10. ^ "European bank to help fund electricity cable linking Ireland and France in light of Brexit".
  11. ^ "EU Backs Celtic Interconnector and Harmony Link". Subsea World News. 4 December 2019.
  12. ^ "EirGrid Group".
  13. ^ Bairstow, Jonny (2016-07-25). "Ireland-France power link reaches planning stage". energylivenews.com. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  14. ^ "Shortlist of sites chosen for submarine electricity cable between France and Ireland". 11 April 2019.
  15. ^ Darmody, Jenny (2021-07-16). "EirGrid hits 'critical milestone' in €1bn Celtic Interconnector project". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
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