EirGrid identify key route for Kildare-Meath grid upgrade

EirGrid has revealed the emerging best performing route option for the Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade.

The Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade is a high-capacity underground cable connecting Dunstown substation near Two Mile House in Kildare and Woodland substation near Batterstown in Meath.

Four possible routes were evaluated and EirGrid carried out a range of assessments to determine advantages and disadvantages of each route.

A spokesperson for EirGrid said: "Following an extensive 12-week consultation across Kildare and Meath, building on previous engagement, during which EirGrid listened and engaged with communities, stakeholders, businesses and landowners on the four proposed routes, Option A (the Red Option) has been identified as the emerging best performing route option."

The route is the most westerly of the shortlisted cable route options and is approximately 51km in length, with an estimated off-road section of six kilometres.

It will require the crossing of waterways, railway lines, and motorways including the M7 and M4 and EirGrid agricultural liaison officers will be engaging directly with landowners in this regard.

Speaking about the emerging route option, EirGrid’s Chief Infrastructure Officer, Michael Mahon said: “We will be carrying out further analysis, including technical and environmental considerations and will continue to work with and listen to the public in order to establish a final route.”

“In the coming months our team will be on hand to answer any questions people may have about the project and final route selection. I want to thank all those who have pro-actively engaged with us to date.”

EirGrid say the Kildare Meath Grid Upgrade will help to more effectively transfer power to the east of the country and distribute it within the electricity network in Meath, Kildare and surrounding counties.

Over the coming weeks further technical and environmental evaluations while continuing to meet and engage with landowners, community, business and statutory stakeholders. This will inform the final route which we anticipate announcing in June.

A planning application will then be prepared and submitted, most likely to An Bord Pleanála. If planning permission is secured, the project will move into the construction phase which ESB Networks will be responsible for.