National Grid UK today confirmed that a firm grid connection of 3,000 megawatts has been awarded to global renewable energy developer, Element Power.

This is the first such dedicated connection offered to an Irish renewable energy exporter and enables Element Power to progress 'Greenwire' - a series of connected projects exporting wind power generated in the Midlands of Ireland to the consumers in the UK via two independent subsea cables.

The UK faces a looming energy deficit due to dwindling North Sea gas reserves as well as ageing coal and nuclear power stations. As a solution, Greenwire could contribute 10 terawatt hours of clean electricity annually, representing 10% of the 30,000 megawatts of renewable generating capacity needed for the UK to meet its 2020 renewables targets.

Greenwire could save UK consumers £7 billion over the project's lifetime compared to sourcing the same energy from sea-based offshore wind farms. The projects would also result in the creation of an estimated 10,000 jobs during the development and construction phase, and 3,000 long-term operational and manufacturing jobs in the UK and Ireland. In Wales the infrastructure built for Greenwire will boost economic development in the regions around the two connection points in Pentir and Pembroke.

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Last month the UK Energy Minister, Charles Hendry and Irish Energy Minister, Pat Rabbitte agreed to prepare a formal Memorandum of Understanding on renewable energy trading between the two countries to be in place by the end of the year.

Julian Leslie, Head of Electricity Customer Services at National Grid Transmission commented: "National Grid is delighted to be signing this grid connection agreement for 3,000 megawatts with Greenwire. This agreement will break new ground by connecting wind generation in Ireland directly to the UK transmission system. We are looking forward to working together with Element Power as we move forward with this unique piece of infrastructure."

Element Power Ireland CEO, Tim Cowhig commented: "Greenwire is a particularly timely project which will enable the economy to harness our renewable energy resources to our economic advantage. The UK energy requirement has become Ireland's opportunity, it makes perfect sense to capitalise on our geographic location and create an export industry. Greenwire is the enabling project that will allow this to happen boosting our national trade and generating considerable employment and benefit to the Midlands region."

(CD)