Plans for high tension power lines scrapped by EirGrid

PLANS for a high tension power line across north and east Mayo and into Co. Roscommon have officially been abandoned.

EirGrid, Ireland's electricity grid operator, today (Frriday) revealed that the Grid West transmission project is to be replaced with a smaller scale development.

Originally, 220 kV or 400 kV power lines were proposed, linking Moygownagh in north Mayo with the national grid at either Flagford (Carrick-on-Shannon) or Casla, Co. Galway.

At a press conference in its Castlebar office today, EirGrid said the larger scale project was proposed in 2012 to connect large amounts of renewable energy to the grid.

However, a decision has now been made to replace it due to the 'lower than expected amounts of wind generation in the north Connaught region'.

This means renewable generation can now be connected through the development of a lower 110 kV line carried on poles, not the 220 kV or 440 kV schemes previously proposed.

EirGrid is continuing technical studies on the project, according to company executives Rosemary Steen and John Fitzgerald.

The company has promised to engage with landowners, communities and stakeholders in the coming months.