EirGrid revealed on Friday that it “has announced plans to replace the Grid West electricity transmission project with a smaller-scale development”.

This, according to the body, means that “renewable generation can now be connected through the development of a lower voltage, 110 kV line carried on poles; not the 220 kV or 400 kV schemes previously proposed under Grid West”.

The body said it will continue to “engage with landowners, communities and stakeholders in the region” as well as those affected by the decision.

According EirGrid’s director of external affairs Rosemary Steen, the body makes decisions such as those on the needs of the grid.

“Our planning team continually assesses the need to develop the grid and it is clear that, as a result of a recent review, the Grid West project is no longer required.

“Landowners and communities in the region have been waiting some time for a decision on the Grid West project. We look forward to working in partnership with them to identify the best possible approach in developing robust electricity infrastructure in the region.”

Background

In June 2016, doubt was cast over the future of the Grid West development.

This came as a result of a Bord Pleanála decision to approve a reduced number of wind turbines on a 5,000ha site near Bellacorick in Co Mayo. The planning board approved 61 turbines, a reduction from the original proposal of 112 wind turbines

Grid West initially planned to run 400 kv pylons along a 130km corridor between Mayo and Roscommon.

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