EirGrid is responsible for leading the secure transition of the electricity grid to a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
EirGrid is a semi-state company that develops, manages, and operates Ireland’s electricity grid. We also develop and will own Ireland’s offshore high voltage electricity infrastructure.
We are responsible for the safe, secure, and reliable supply of Ireland’s electricity, bringing power from where it is generated to the distribution network that supplies the electricity we use every day in our homes, businesses, schools and hospitals.
While EirGrid is not responsible for generating electricity or building windfarms, EirGrid is responsible for connecting electricity generation infrastructure, such as offshore and onshore windfarms, into our national electricity grid.
What is Powering Up Offshore - South Coast?
The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2024 aims for Ireland to get 80% of energy from renewable sources. Offshore wind is key to this plan.
Powering Up Offshore - South Coast is a project to build the new transmission grid infrastructure needed to bring power generated by offshore windfarms into our national grid.
The main components of this project are:
Two offshore substation platforms – to be located within the Maritime Area A, also known as Tonn Nua which is indicated on the map below, of the SC-DMAP.
The following will then be required in County Cork and in County Waterford/Wexford:
Offshore transmission cables connecting the offshore substations to landfall locations.
New onshore substations.
Connections between landfalls and new onshore substations by underground cables
Loop-in connections to the existing electricity transmission network from the new substations by either underground cables or overhead lines.
Project Benefits
This project is a critical development on the journey to a renewable energy future in Ireland. It will enable electricity generated from offshore wind to flow into our where it is needed in the future. This will power businesses, schools, hospitals, homes and farms to prosper and grow. Other key benefits include:
Sustainability: This project will enable homes and businesses across the Irish coast and beyond to use electricity generated from offshore renewable energy.
Security and reliability of supply: Building a more independent, resilient and reliable electricity grid helps ensure that everyone has power when and where they need it.
Social and community: Our community benefit policy will directly support local communities in the areas that host the programme infrastructure.
Meet future needs: As our society and economy develops, the programme will help us meet the growing demand for electricity, without increasing our carbon footprint.
Economic: This critical programme will help strengthen the economy across coastal regions, encouraging and supporting industry investment with accessibility to a strong electricity grid.
What is happening now?
The development of this project follows EirGrid’s 6-Step approach to Grid Development (see below) which sets out the steps to be taken to identify and implement the best performing solution that meets the needs outlined.
The Powering Up Offshore - South Coast is currently in Step 3.
EirGrid evaluated a long-list of potential Landfall Zones and Grid Connection Zones, to identify the Emerging Best Performing Options being consulted on now, in Step 3.
Have Your Say
EirGrid is now consulting on the the Emerging Best Performing Options shown for Landfall Zones and Grid Connection Zones.
Your input, local knowledge and ideas for this development are important to us.
The public consultation will take place from Tuesday 12th November 2024 to Friday 24th January 2025 and we want to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
Throughout the consultation, we are holding a series of public information events and online webinars.
This will provide an opportunity for us to share information with you and for you to speak to members of the project team about the project and ask any questions you may have before you submit your views, find out more on our website here: Offshore Energy Future | Projects | EirGrid
Project Overview
Project requirements in County Cork and in County Waterford/Wexford, will include:
• Landfall locations
• New onshore substations
• Connections between landfalls and new onshore substations by underground cables
• Loop-in connections to the existing electricity transmission network from the new substations by either underground cables or overhead lines.
This infrastructure will be located within the infrastructure zones, illustrated in this map:
What is a Landfall Zone?
What is a Landfall Zone?
A Landfall Zone is where the offshore transmission cable will come ashore and connect to the land cable. Two landfall locations from the short list below are required: - one in County Cork (A, B or C) and
- one in County Waterford/Wexford (D, E, F or G)
At each Landfall Zone, underground Onshore Transition Joint Bays (TJBs) will connect the offshore cable to the onshore underground cable (UGC). The TJB is placed underground and is made up of a single concrete chamber for cable joints, and communication connections. Once the work is completed the area will be fully reinstated.
What is a Grid Connection Zone?
These Grid Connection Zones are the proposed locations for the siting of new substations. The electricity coming from the offshore wind generation will connect into these new substations which will then connect into the national electricity network.
The areas of focus for Grid Connection Zones are located in proximity to:
The existing Aghada 220 kV Substation and Aghada-Knockraha double overhead line in County Cork.
The IDA site at Ballyadam, County Cork.
Existing Great Island 220 kV Substation, Great Island-Kellis and Great Island-Lodgewood 220kV Overhead Lines in County Wexford.
Further information
If you have any queries, please contact the relevant EirGrid representative below:
Powering Up Offshore South Coast - Step 3 Consultation
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Who is EirGrid?
EirGrid is responsible for leading the secure transition of the electricity grid to a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
EirGrid is a semi-state company that develops, manages, and operates Ireland’s electricity grid. We also develop and will own Ireland’s offshore high voltage electricity infrastructure.
We are responsible for the safe, secure, and reliable supply of Ireland’s electricity, bringing power from where it is generated to the distribution network that supplies the electricity we use every day in our homes, businesses, schools and hospitals.
While EirGrid is not responsible for generating electricity or building windfarms, EirGrid is responsible for connecting electricity generation infrastructure, such as offshore and onshore windfarms, into our national electricity grid.
What is Powering Up Offshore - South Coast?
The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2024 aims for Ireland to get 80% of energy from renewable sources. Offshore wind is key to this plan.
Powering Up Offshore - South Coast is a project to build the new transmission grid infrastructure needed to bring power generated by offshore windfarms into our national grid.
The main components of this project are:
The following will then be required in County Cork and in County Waterford/Wexford:
Project Benefits
This project is a critical development on the journey to a renewable energy future in Ireland. It will enable electricity generated from offshore wind to flow into our where it is needed in the future. This will power businesses, schools, hospitals, homes and farms to prosper and grow. Other key benefits include:
Sustainability: This project will enable homes and businesses across the Irish coast and beyond to use electricity generated from offshore renewable energy.
Security and reliability of supply: Building a more independent, resilient and reliable electricity grid helps ensure that everyone has power when and where they need it.
Social and community: Our community benefit policy will directly support local communities in the areas that host the programme infrastructure.
Meet future needs: As our society and economy develops, the programme will help us meet the growing demand for electricity, without increasing our carbon footprint.
Economic: This critical programme will help strengthen the economy across coastal regions, encouraging and supporting industry investment with accessibility to a strong electricity grid.
What is happening now?
The development of this project follows EirGrid’s 6-Step approach to Grid Development (see below) which sets out the steps to be taken to identify and implement the best performing solution that meets the needs outlined.
The Powering Up Offshore - South Coast is currently in Step 3.
EirGrid evaluated a long-list of potential Landfall Zones and Grid Connection Zones, to identify the Emerging Best Performing Options being consulted on now, in Step 3.
Have Your Say
EirGrid is now consulting on the the Emerging Best Performing Options shown for Landfall Zones and Grid Connection Zones.
Your input, local knowledge and ideas for this development are important to us.
The public consultation will take place from Tuesday 12th November 2024 to Friday 24th January 2025 and we want to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
Throughout the consultation, we are holding a series of public information events and online webinars.
This will provide an opportunity for us to share information with you and for you to speak to members of the project team about the project and ask any questions you may have before you submit your views, find out more on our website here: Offshore Energy Future | Projects | EirGrid
Project Overview
Project requirements in County Cork and in County Waterford/Wexford, will include:
• Landfall locations
• New onshore substations
• Connections between landfalls and new onshore substations by underground cables
• Loop-in connections to the existing electricity transmission network from the new substations by either underground cables or overhead lines.
This infrastructure will be located within the infrastructure zones, illustrated in this map:
What is a Landfall Zone?
What is a Landfall Zone?
A Landfall Zone is where the offshore transmission cable will come ashore and connect to the land cable. Two landfall locations from the short list below are required:
- one in County Cork (A, B or C) and
- one in County Waterford/Wexford (D, E, F or G)
At each Landfall Zone, underground Onshore Transition Joint Bays (TJBs) will connect the offshore cable to the onshore underground cable (UGC). The TJB is placed underground and is made up of a single concrete chamber for cable joints, and communication connections. Once the work is completed the area will be fully reinstated.
What is a Grid Connection Zone?
These Grid Connection Zones are the proposed locations for the siting of new substations. The electricity coming from the offshore wind generation will connect into these new substations which will then connect into the national electricity network.
The areas of focus for Grid Connection Zones are located in proximity to:
Further information
If you have any queries, please contact the relevant EirGrid representative below:
Michelle Walsh | Community Liaison Officer (Cork)
Phone: 085 870 4999 | Email: michelle.walsh@eirgrid.com
Eoghan O'Sullivan | Community Liaison Officer (Waterford/Wexford)
Phone: 087 247 7732 | Email: eoghan.osullivan@eirgrid.com
Ronan Lynch | Fisheries Liaison Officer (South Coast)
Phone: 087 490 4786 | Email: ronan.lynch@eirgrid.com
Sean Kenny | Land Management Unit
Phone: 085 708 9595 | Email: sean.kenny@eirgrid.com
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