Last week, the Minister for Communications, Denis Naughten, confirmed that he has commissioned two studies into the North-South Interconnector; on undergrounding and on compensation for landowners.

The current plan is for the interconnector to go overhead. Construction of the interconnector stalled when the North-East Pylon Pressure Campaign challenged An Bord Pleánala in the High Court, objecting to its decision to approve the construction of approximately 300 pylons carrying 400,000 volts across Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.

In August, the High Court upheld planning approval for the North-South Interconnector after a challenge from landowners.

Issues

In a statement from EirGrid, a spokesperson said: “EirGrid hopes that the study commissioned by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment will clarify any issues surrounding undergrounding, providing reassurance to concerned landowners and communities, and facilitate the delivery of this critical infrastructure.

"EirGrid has demonstrated through its own studies that an overhead alternating current option presents less risk for system security, reliability and availability than an underground direct current option.

"This recommendation has also been supported by two independent studies commissioned by Government and by an expert panel. An Bord Pleanála has also assessed the proposed overhead line and concluded that its development would be in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development.

"If the study commissioned by Minister Naughten recommends the underground, direct current option for the North South Interconnector, EirGrid would then reassess how this piece of infrastructure is best delivered.”

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