Ireland to UK interconnector will begin development

Ireland to UK interconnector will begin development: A €500 million (£417m) under sea & underground electricity interconnector that will join up the grids of Ireland & Britain has finished its investment stage.

The construction of the 190 kilometre interconnector is anticipated to begin in the approaching weeks.

The ‘Greenlink’ project consists of a 160 kilometre subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable system, 2 converter stations, a tail station located at Great Island in Wexford, Ireland and onshore cable works in Wexford as well as Pembrokeshire, Wales.

The project developer said the interconnector’s capacity of 500MW is equal to powering nearly 380,000 homes.

In September 2021, Siemens Energy & Sumimoto Electric were given contracts to provide HVDC cable and converter technology for the project.

“We are delighted to have reached financial close on one of Europe’s most important energy infrastructure projects.

“It will deliver a range of benefits at this critical time in the energy transition, from local jobs & investment to energy security and the cost effective integration of renewables to help Ireland & the UK meet their climate change goals.” Announced Chief Executive Officer of Greenlink, James O’Reilly.

Ireland to UK interconnector will begin development