'Major step forward' for electricity link between Cork and France

The first delivery of a bespoke onshore high-voltage alternating current electricity cable from Belgium has been successfully unloaded in Cork as part of the works and commissioning phase of the Celtic Interconnector project.

The Celtic Interconnector, the subsea link connecting the electricity grids of Ireland and France, will create an electrical interconnection between the two countries to allow the exchange of electricity between them.

The connection will link the existing electricity substation located in Knockraha in east Cork to the substation in La Martyre in Finistère, France.

The project’s works and commissioning phase is scheduled to be completed in 2026 and a trial period operation will take place before the interconnector is integrated with the grid in spring 2027.

When complete, the project which is being developed by electricity grid operator EirGrid and its French counterpart Réseau de Transport d’Électricité, will allow the import and export of enough electricity to power 450,000 homes, connecting Ireland’s electricity system to mainland Europe for the first time.

The transportation of the electricity cables via sea from the manufacturing facility in Belgium into Cork Harbour at Ringaskiddy deep water port marks a crucial step in the implementation of the project.

EirGrid’s chief infrastructure officer Michael Mahon said: “The planning and collaboration of this delivery between the project’s stakeholders, including the project team, contractors, logistics partners, port authorities and An Garda Síochána, has ensured a safe and positive transfer of the electricity cables from Belgium to Ringaskiddy, and on to the project.

“This achievement signifies a major step forward in delivering this crucial energy connection to Europe.

“This project will make our electricity supply more secure, directly connecting the Irish grid to mainland Europe and helping us to meet our growing electricity demand.

“We would like to express our gratitude to all the stakeholders involved in helping us to achieve this latest milestone,” said Mr Mahon.