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The original Grid West development planned to build a 113km-long 400kV overhead power line from north Mayo to Flagford, in Roscommon.
However, last week EirGrid announced that the development would be downsized to a 110kV project – ruling out the erection of pylons, which would be needed for 400kV lines.
An EirGrid spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal that 110kV lines account for the majority of electricity in the grid.
“Analysis is to be undertaken on what routes are best [for the new Grid West plan], as well as technical analysis.
“There should be a number of options outside of pylons available to carry the electricity, including overhead lines and undergrounding.
“No decision has been made yet on anything, except that the line will be a lower voltage of 110kV, regarding how it will be rolled out.”
A public consultation on the new plan will be launched in the new year, which is expected to take a number of months.
Compensation
Landowners who are affected by pylons, poles or undergrounding of lines are entitled to compensation.
“They would get a lot more compensation if it was a 440kV line, compared with a 110kV line.
“For undergrounding, affected landowners would be compensated if the project was to go underground.
“However, the EirGrid community gain and proximity payments initiatives would not apply,” the spokesperson said.
Construction of Grid West
Meanwhile, the construction of Grid West could start in 2020, all going to plan.
The EirGrid spokesperson said that following the consultation period and all going to plan, planning permission would be sought by EirGrid in 2019.
Rough approximations by EirGrid show that once planning approval is gained, construction will start in 2020, with a view of completion and energisation in 2023/2024.
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