EirGrid have identified the need to strengthen the electricity grid in the North West of Ireland and are looking at options to do so.
Background
To support the Government’s renewable energy targets and meet the growing electricity demand across the country, we must significantly increase the amount of renewable energy on our network. That’s why EirGrid is currently advancing the most ambitious programme of work ever undertaken on Ireland’s transmission system. This includes reinforcements, upgrades, and new infrastructure across the country. Where possible, EirGrid is committed to enhancing and extending the life of existing infrastructure to minimise the impact on landowners and communities.
What is Powering Up the North West?
Powering Up the North West is a proposed programme of works designed to enable the integration of more renewable energy sources into the grid which will also enable higher electricity demand to be supplied in the North West in the future. This will help drive economic growth and development across the region.
The existing transmission infrastructure in the North West is nearing its capacity limit. To ensure a reliable and sustainable electricity supply for communities, residents, schools, and businesses, new infrastructure is urgently needed.
As part of this programme, two new 220 kV circuits are required in the Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal area. Taking into account geography, topography, and local needs it has been decided by EirGrid that these two proposed circuits are being progressed as separate projects, but both of equal importance:
Srananagh to Clogher Project
This will involve a new 220 kV circuit between Srananagh substation in Sligo and Clogher substation in Donegal.
Flagford to Srananagh Project
This will involve a partial replacement of the existing 110 kV circuit between Flagford substation in Roscommon and Sligo substation with a new 220 kV circuit, and the connection of this circuit into Srananagh substation in Sligo with new 220 kV and new 110 kV circuits.
Our project teams have performed extensive studies of the region to determine any constraints which could impact the route of this circuit. A number of constraints have been identified which limit the route options. These constraints include:
Physical constraints: The mountainous terrain in parts of the region makes certain areas more difficult to access. In addition, the border with Northern Ireland to the east of the study area limits options as it would not be practicable for the project to extend into Northern Ireland because of licensing agreements set by national governments of both jurisdictions.
Landscape and visual: There are a large number of Landscape Character Areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, areas of High Visual Amenity, and Protected Views across the project study area in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. These are important to preserve and influence where infrastructure can be placed.
Cultural heritage: There are a number of archaeological, architectural and cultural assets across the study area which have added to constraints to route options. In addition, the town of Ballyshannon has been designated by Donegal County Council as a Heritage Town. These cultural assets are an important part of the community and must be carefully considered in route planning.
People and the environment: EirGrid seeks to minimise or avoid impact to people and the environment through careful routing. We will avoid towns and villages and maximise the distance from houses and areas with environmental sensitivities (e.g. woodland and bogs).
Further details on these constraints can be found in our Technical Reports at eirgrid.ie/northwest. The map below shows the study area for these projects.
Have your say
As part of this consultation, we are looking for feedback on any further constraints in the study areas which may impact the deliverability of these circuits, to help us identify final route corridors during the next step of these projects.
You can respond by clicking "Make a Submission" . You can respond to the consultation questions and also provide your comments on the constraints map.
Q1. Please describe your interest in this project (eg. Landowner; Homeowner; Business; Community Group etc)
Q2. Please provide any feedback you have on project constraints and/or routing to help inform and identify route corridors during the next step of these projects.
Q3. Please provide any additional feedback you might have on the Flagford to Srananagh and/or Srananagh to Clogher projects
Powering Up the North West Step 3 Consultation
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EirGrid have identified the need to strengthen the electricity grid in the North West of Ireland and are looking at options to do so.
Background
To support the Government’s renewable energy targets and meet the growing electricity demand across the country, we must significantly increase the amount of renewable energy on our network. That’s why EirGrid is currently advancing the most ambitious programme of work ever undertaken on Ireland’s transmission system. This includes reinforcements, upgrades, and new infrastructure across the country. Where possible, EirGrid is committed to enhancing and extending the life of existing infrastructure to minimise the impact on landowners and communities.
What is Powering Up the North West?
Powering Up the North West is a proposed programme of works designed to enable the integration of more renewable energy sources into the grid which will also enable higher electricity demand to be supplied in the North West in the future. This will help drive economic growth and development across the region.
The existing transmission infrastructure in the North West is nearing its capacity limit. To ensure a reliable and sustainable electricity supply for communities, residents, schools, and businesses, new infrastructure is urgently needed.
As part of this programme, two new 220 kV circuits are required in the Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal area. Taking into account geography, topography, and local needs it has been decided by EirGrid that these two proposed circuits are being progressed as separate projects, but both of equal importance:
Srananagh to Clogher Project
This will involve a new 220 kV circuit between Srananagh substation in Sligo and Clogher substation in Donegal.
Flagford to Srananagh Project
This will involve a partial replacement of the existing 110 kV circuit between Flagford substation in Roscommon and Sligo substation with a new 220 kV circuit, and the connection of this circuit into Srananagh substation in Sligo with new 220 kV and new 110 kV circuits.
Our project teams have performed extensive studies of the region to determine any constraints which could impact the route of this circuit. A number of constraints have been identified which limit the route options. These constraints include:
Further details on these constraints can be found in our Technical Reports at eirgrid.ie/northwest. The map below shows the study area for these projects.
Have your say
As part of this consultation, we are looking for feedback on any further constraints in the study areas which may impact the deliverability of these circuits, to help us identify final route corridors during the next step of these projects.
You can respond by clicking "Make a Submission" . You can respond to the consultation questions and also provide your comments on the constraints map.
Thank you.
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