Powering Up Dublin

Closed28 Mar, 2023, 1:00pm - 23 May, 2023, 5:00pm

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Powering Up Dublin:
Replacement Underground Cable Programme

EirGrid develops, manages, and operates Ireland’s electricity grid. We are responsible for the safe, secure and reliable supply of Ireland’s electricity. EirGrid is also leading the secure transition of the grid to a sustainable low-carbon future.

The grid brings power from where it is generated to where it is needed throughout Ireland. It supplies power directly to industry and businesses that use large amounts of electricity. The grid also brings power from generators to the domestic network that supplies the electricity you use every day in homes, businesses, schools and hospitals.

This critical infrastructure supports the current development of our society and economy. But just as importantly, work carried out now to improve the grid will help to create a more sustainable future for future generations.

What is Powering Up Dublin?

Dublin’s electricity infrastructure is ageing and reaching its end of life. Work must be done to transform and modernise the city’s electricity infrastructure, so Dublin can continue to develop and thrive, while increasingly using power from renewable sources.

In this first phase, with our partners, we are installing over 50km of cables across the city. Upgrades will also take place in a number of substations to support Dublin’s electricity network. These new cables will all be underground and they will connect electricity substations located around Dublin.

We have carried out studies to identify new underground cable routes that will link the following electricity substations to each other:

  • North Wall and Poolbeg
  • Finglas and North Wall
  • Carrickmines and Poolbeg
  • Two cables linking Inchicore and Poolbeg

This consultation presents twelve Emerging Best Performing Route Options in total and we are seeking your feedback on these options.

We are seeking feedback on our current plans. We aim to present the Best Performing Route options by the end of 2023.

We are currently developing feasibility and early design works on additional projects that benefit the programme needs. The Powering Up Dublin team will publicise these additional projects once they have completed the early-design phase. The additional projects will be similar to those listed in this brochure.

Why is the Project Needed?

Powering Up Dublin is a critical programme that will strengthen key electricity infrastructure in Dublin and the surrounding areas, making the city ‘renewable ready’.

Dublin’s demand for electricity has grown and will continue to grow in the years ahead as we move to using electricity for heat and transport. These works allow us to meet our energy demands now and in the future.

This project will help deliver a consistent and reliable supply of electricity for Dublin. Work must be done now to ensure the city’s electricity infrastructure is fit for purpose, resilient and will endure long into the future.

While this work will be disruptive at times, together with our project partners, we seek to minimise any potential disruption during construction by working with local communities, local authorities and businesses in Dublin.

Ireland’s energy future lies in our ability to continue to harness and grow the potential of renewable energy.

Ireland has made good progress to date achieving on average 40% of our electricity coming from renewable sources annually. By 2030, we must strive to reach 80% of electricity demand being supplied by renewable resources.

Powering Up Dublin is key to meeting this target, which is set out in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.

 

Project Benefits

Security and reliability of supply

Building a more resilient and reliable electricity grid helps ensure that everyone has power when and where they need it. This upgrade will also enable independence by harnessing greener energy sources close to the city.

Meet future needs

These improvements will also help to meet the growing and changing electricity needs of Dublin. This includes the electrification of transport systems, vehicles and heating, the requirement of large energy users and the development of housing and offices.

Sustainability

Powering Up Dublin will enable the city’s grid to use and transmit the electricity generated from offshore wind energy to the heart of the city. This is a vital step to help Ireland transition to a low-carbon electricity future.

Economic

These critical upgrades will help strengthen Dublin’s economy, encouraging and supporting future investment.

Community

Our community benefit policy will directly support local communities in the areas that host the project infrastructure.

Our approach to consultation and
engagement

Dublin Infrastructure Forum

To help minimise disruption and work as efficiently as possible, we are coordinating with other state-owned utilities, transport providers and local authorities through our Dublin Infrastructure Forum.

Community Forum and Business Forum

We know that there will be a considerable amount of roadworks needed to complete the works. We also understand that electricity infrastructure projects like these impact on local residents and businesses. With this in mind, we launched Community and Business Forums in November 2022 to communicate, consult and engage with local residents and businesses across Dublin.

Each of these forums have met twice so far where we introduced the project, outlined the study area and sought feedback on our plans. We will continue to incorporate all the feedback received into our design and engagement approach where possible.

You can read the meeting notes from the first meeting on EirGrid.ie/dublin.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Community Forum or Business Forum, please email Dublin@EirGrid.ie or call one of our Community Liaison Officers.

Community Benefit

While the Powering Up Dublin project is underway, we will work to give back to local communities and businesses as part of our community benefit policy. Our support will focus on issues of community, sustainability and biodiversity. We will be led by local stakeholders on the best ways to use the community benefit funds set aside for these projects, so that your community benefits.

Next steps

Over the coming months, we will carry out site investigations on each of the proposed routes. Our Community Liaison Officers will be engaging with local communities and businesses to make sure ongoing communication is maintained at all times.

We are seeking your feedback on our current plans. Your feedback will be reviewed and considered and will influence project design where possible. We will carry out site investigations on each of the proposed routes to help determine the Best Performing Route Options.

Have your say

The public consultation will take place from Tuesday 28 March to Tuesday 23 May 2023.
Submissions can be made either online or by post and the deadline for submissions is
Tuesday 23 May
. Your feedback will be reviewed and considered and will influence design where
possible. Throughout the consultation, we are holding a series of face-to-face and online events.
This provides an opportunity for us to present information to you and to provide an opportunity for you to speak to members of the project team about the routes and answer any questions you
may have before you submit your views. We want to hear your views, you can get involved in the consultation and provide feedback in a range of ways:

Make on online submission
Provide written feedback on each option by registering for a free account on this platform and make a submission using the link opposite.

Or
Respond to a questionnaire
Complete a simple online questionnaire here

Or
By Email
Send your comments by email to Dublin@EirGrid.ie

Or
Write your own submission and freepost it back to us

Powering Up Dublin Consultation, EirGrid plc, Freepost FDN 5312, 160 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, D04 FW28.

 

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 23 May.

Ask the project team

Members of the public with specific questions can book a ‘one-to-one’ session with a member of the project team. These can be held by telephone call-back or by a video call.
You can book an appointment on our website EirGrid.ie/dublin or by calling or emailing the team.

Online webinars

You can attend a 1-hour online webinar where we will present details of the project and proposed routes followed by an open Q&A.

  • Thursday 27 April at 12.30pm
  • Thursday 27 April at 7pm

Please register your interest interest by completing this registration form or by email to Dublin@EirGrid.ie.

Virtual Room

Visit our virtual room to find out more information on the project and provide your feedback online. This will be live on our website EirGrid.ie/dublin.

Public information events

Visit one of our face-to-face public information events being held at the following locations across the proposed routes to find out more and speak to experts within the team.

Venue Date Time
Marino Institute of Education Tuesday 04 April 1pm to 8pm
Erin’s Isle GAA Club, Finglas Wednesday 05 April 1pm to 8pm
Sandymount Community Centre Wednesday 12 April 1pm to 8pm
Richmond Barracks, Inchicore Thursday 13 April 1pm to 8pm
Ballyogan Parish Centre, Ballyogan Wednesday 19 April 1pm to 8pm
The Evergreen Club, Terenure Wednesday 03 May 1pm to 8pm
Skylon Hotel, Drumcondra Tuesday 09 May 1pm to 8pm
Glasnevin Cemetery, Visitors Centre Wednesday 10 May 1pm to 8pm
Stillorgan Park Hotel Thursday 11 May 1pm to 8pm
St Kevin’s Hall, South Circular Road Tuesday 16 May 1pm to 8pm
Clanna Gael Fontenoy GAA, Ringsend Wednesday 17 May 1pm to 8pm

Community Liaison Clinics

Drop in to meet our Community Liaison Officers, Liz Dillon and Niall Barrett at one of our informal community liaison clinics.

You don’t need an appointment to attend. If you have any specific questions, please call our Community Liaison Officers.

Venue Date Time Community
Liaison Officer
Pembroke Library, Ballsbridge Thursday 20 April 12pm to 4pm Liz Dillon
Carleton Hall, Marino Community Centre Thursday 20 April 2pm to 6pm Niall Barrett
Terenure Enterprise Centre Tuesday 25 April 12pm to 4pm Liz Dillon
Axis Centre, Ballymun Tuesday 25 April 12pm to 4pm Niall Barrett
Mounttown Community Facility, Monkstown Tuesday 02 May 12pm to 4pm Liz Dillon
St. Helena’s Family Resource Centre, Finglas Tuesday 02 May, 12pm to 4pm Niall Barrett

Who can I contact?

If you would like to find out more information on this project, you can email Dublin@Eirgrid.ie or contact your local Community Liaison Officer: 

Neil Barrett on +353 (0)87 117 7269,

Liz Dillon on +353 (0)87 188 7982.

If you would prefer to receive information relating to the consultation through the post, or you need
it in another format, please get in touch.

If you have any difficulty writing down your feedback, a member of the Public Engagement Team will be able to take comments over the phone.