North-South Interconnector is granted planning permission

PLANS for a North-South interconnector have been given the green light.

It is set to create a 400kv overhead electricity line connecting the North to the Republic, and has been described as ‘crucial’ for handling growing demand across the island.

Applications were previously approved by the North’s Department for Infrastructure in 2018. However a legal challenge saw the two applications quashed and remitted back to the department for determination. The scheme has been opposed by some landowners in counties Armagh and Tyrone on the route of the connection with the southern network in Co. Meath.

The North’s Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon confirmed yesterday she has now granted full planning permission for the project.

‘Following the quashing of the previous decision, I have carefully reconsidered the proposal and the up-to-date environmental information and have concluded that planning permission should be granted for the development which remains of strategic importance for our island economy,’ she said.

‘The North-South Electricity Interconnector remains crucial to handling growing demand across the electricity transmission systems across the island of Ireland, promoting greater competition within the Single Electricity Market (SEM) for wholesale electricity trading, and to protecting security of supply.’

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan also welcomed the news, saying: ‘This is the final milestone in the development of the North-South Interconnector, which is a critical piece of energy infrastructure that will bring economic benefits to all people on the island of Ireland.

‘I will expect Eirgrid to fully and openly engage with communities along the route of this project with a view to ensuring its appropriate delivery and that its benefits are understood by and shared with those living closest to the route.’