Further investment in Mayo's power grid is imminent

EirGrid PLC, with the consent and approval of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), has made application to Mayo County Council for permission for works to uprate the existing Castlebar to Dalton, Claremorris 110 kV overhead line (OHL).

The proposed development will take place within the following townlands.

Liscromwell, Carrowkeel, Brees, Breandrum or Windsor Prison South, Facefield, Aghalusky, Drumnaslooeen, Mossbrook, Cloontybaunan, Ballinagran, Ballynastangford, Lower Derrynamraher, Rathredmond, Birchfield, Cappavicar, South Dooros, Garrywadreen, Keelkill, Drumadoon, Drumneen, Ballinvoash, Legaun, Ballynastangford Upper, Gneeve, Ballymacloughlin, Drumneen (Prendergast), Lisnaran, Ballyrourke, Ballynew, Drumcorrabaun, Pollavaddy, Eskerlevally, Kilmacrade, Moat, Drumneen, South Burris, Garhawnagh, Castlegar, Barrackland, Carrowgarve, Crantahar, Rinnahulty, Knocknamoghalaun, Drumkeen, Carrowmore, Rathduff, Clare, Derreen, Heathlawn Kilbeg-Malone Prison North and Coolaghbaun.

The circuit is 27.8 km in length and runs between the existing Castlebar 110 kV substation in the townland of Aghalusky in Castlebar to Dalton 110 kV substation located in the townland of Claremorris.

The OHL has a total of 144 supporting structures.

The proposed development will comprise the replacement (“restringing”) of the existing OHL circuit conductor wires with a new higher capacity conductor.

There will be changes to structures, resulting in standardised heights from 16 to 24 metres along the circuit.

Eirgrid also has an application before the council for the uprating of the Dalton to Casla, Co. Galway, circuit.