Carrigtwohill site being assessed for major electric converter 

Eirgrid, which operates the national electricity circuit, is reassessing a site in Carrigtwohill for the construction of an electric converter, which is an essential part of a €1bn interconnector project with France.

The site was part of the original 12 sites that were looked at, but the company said it did not score well from a technical point of view.

The site is now being re-evaluated following feedback from local residents and politicians on two other earmarked sites closer to Knockraha, where Eirgrid has a substation.

The Carrigtwohill site, Ballyadam, is an industrial zone which has been pointed out as being more suitable by Knockraha locals.

Speaking to The Echo, a spokesperson for the company said there would be additional cost in having the electric converter so far from their substation and also said there were possible soil issues at the Ballyadam site, but following the feedback from the Knockraha community, they were re-examining the option.

Knockraha Environmental Group were a driving force in the campaign to leave the Knockraha site untouched as it is believed to be a burial place for people who died during the War of Independence.

The cable is vital for the France to Ireland submarine electricity cable as the French use a different electricity current. The French use direct current (DC) and Ireland uses alternating current (AC).

Eirgrid said that their engineers are currently assessing and analysing the Ballyadam site and it will be late summer if not autumn before a decision is made on the location of the electric converter.