East Meath - North Dublin Grid Upgrade: Step 4 Consultation

Who are EirGrid – and what do we do? 

EirGrid is responsible for a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity – now and in the future. We develop, manage and operate the electricity transmission grid. This grid brings power from where it is generated to where it is needed throughout Ireland. We use the grid to supply power to industry and businesses that use large amounts of electricity. The grid also powers the distribution network and supplies the electricity you use every day in your homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and farms.

About this update 

We want to hear what you have to say about the four underground cable route options we are considering for the East Meath-North Dublin Grid Upgrade. This update is for you as stakeholders, communities, landowners and members of the public interested in finding out more about this upgrade project. 

This site provides information about the project, and we hope it will inform and help you to take part in this consultation. We are in Step 4 of a six-step process. This site will outline how the project has developed to date and detail how you can give us your feedback during this consultation period.

The consultation is open from 7 September 2022 to 30 November 2022. We are consulting on four underground cable route options. We will consider feedback on all four route options before deciding on what the best route option is to take forward to detailed design. This site provides detailed information on the project, including:

• what is the East Meath-North Dublin Grid Upgrade,
• how to have your say,
• our six-step approach to developing the electricity grid,
• what the study area and route options are,
• information about underground cables,
• community forum, and
• Step 4 at a glance.

What is the East Meath-North Dublin Grid Upgrade?

Why is the project needed and what are the benefits?

The East Meath-North Dublin Grid Upgrade will add a high-capacity 400 kV (kilovolt) underground cable electricity connection from Woodland substation near Batterstown in County Meath to Belcamp substation near Clonshaugh in north Dublin. This upgrade will strengthen the electricity network in the east of Meath and the north of Dublin to improve the transfer of power across the existing transmission network. We need to upgrade and strengthen the network to:

• address the increased electricity demand in east Meath and north Dublin due to economic development and population growth,
• reduce the use of and reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation,
• facilitate further development of renewable energy generation, onshore and offshore, and;
• assist in achieving climate action targets of having up to 80% of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2030.

This project was identified as one of the candidate solutions in the Shaping Our Electricity Future Roadmap which was published in November 2021.

 

Benefits of the East Meath-North Dublin Grid Upgrade

Competition

Apply downward pressure on the cost of electricity.

Sustainability

Help facilitate Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future.

Security of Supply

Improve electricity supply for Ireland’s electricity consumers.

Economic

Contribute to the regional economy and support foreign direct investment.

Community

Deliver community benefit in the areas that facilitate the project infrastructure.

Have your say in this consultation

We are inviting you to give feedback on the four route options for the East Meath-North Dublin Grid Upgrade. The consultation period is from 7 September to 30 November 2022.  

We encourage you to engage with us and have your say as early as possible during this consultation period.

Where can I find out more?

You can find out more in a number of different ways.

Arrange to speak to a  team member directly	Sign up to a webinar	Attend an Open Day

Open Days 

Wed 28th Sept: Atrium County Hall, Swords, Co. Dublin
Thu 29th Sept: Coolquoy Lodge, Old N2 North Road, Dublin 11
Wed 12th Oct:  Hilton Hotel, Malahide Road, Dublin 17
Thu 13th Oct:   Sweeneys, Kilbride Rd, Priest Town, Co. Meath
Wed 26th Oct:  St Margaret’s GAA, Ballystrahan, St Margaret's Co. Dublin
Thu 27th Oct:   Caffreys, Trim Road, Batterstown, Co. Meath

EiGrid Mobile Information Unit Days

Tues 15th Nov: 
Caffreys, Trim Road, Batterstown, Co. Meath (10:00- 13:00)
Coolquoy Lodge, Old N2 North Road, Dublin 11 (14:00-17:00)

Wed 16th Nov:
Kinsealy Garden Centre, Malahide Road, Dublin (10:00-13:00)
Sweeneys, Kilbride Rd, Priest Town, Co. Meath (14:00-17:00)

Thu 1 Nov:
Coachman’s Inn, Cloughran, Airport Road, Dublin (10:00-14:00)

Sign Up to a Webinar

Webinar 1: Wed, 14th Sept, 19:00
Registration closed.

Webinar 2: Tue, 4th Oct, 19:00
Register here

Webinar 3: Thur, 17th Nov, 19:00
Register here

What happens next?

We will collate all the feedback we receive, analyse it and publish a report on it. We will outline any decisions that have been made and how you informed those decisions.