The Grid West project is EirGrid's plan to develop a new high-capacity power connection, linking north Mayo to a strong point on the national grid.

In January 2014, EirGrid announced that it would undertake a comprehensive analysis of an underground route for the project. This analysis will be route specific and completed to the same level of detail as the overhead line option.

EirGrid's analysis of the underground and overhead options will be reviewed by the Independent Expert Panel appointed by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. This will provide assurance to the public that both the overhead and underground options are considered in a fair, objective and comparable way. Work on both options is being advanced in line with the terms of reference set by the Panel.

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Since January, EirGrid has identified a number of possible underground routes for the project from north-west Mayo to both Flagford, Co. Roscommon and Cashla, Co. Galway, including a preferred underground route which runs from north-west Mayo to Flagford. This work has been carried out in consultation with local authorities in Mayo, Roscommon and Galway, as well as the National Roads Authority and other relevant agencies.

Speaking in Castlebar today, EirGrid Chief Executive Fintan Slye, said: "We received extensive feedback from our public consultation and in January we responded with a number of important initiatives, including looking at underground options for the Grid West Project.

"Over the coming weeks we will be asking the people of the west to review the work we have done to develop this underground route option and also proposed amendments to the overhead route corridor, and to provide us with their feedback on both."

(CD)