The Gridlink scheme is being questioned following an ESB submission on national energy policy.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, said the recent submission shows that the latest demand projections from Eirgrid suggest an approximate increase in demand of just 5% for the period for 2008 – 2024.

This is compared to a forecasted increase in demand of 45% for the same period when the Gridlink project was first envisaged in 2008.

Mr Heydon said: "These figures call into question the very need for the Gridlink project.

-- Advertisement --

"Eirgrid's Grid 25 programme represents a massive investment for this country, estimated to cost almost €4 billion up to 2025. ESB have confirmed that the capital cost of the infrastructure built in any year will be recovered from electricity bills for up to 50 years. We have to be absolutely sure that the projects are required before they go ahead.

"In his response to me in the Dáil, Minister Alex White stated that the ESB submission would be considered along with all other submissions as part of formulating the updated national energy policy.

"He also confirmed that in May of this year, Eirgrid initiated a further update of Grid 25 to take into account the most up to date information available, including technical innovation, future economic and demand projections.

"Following discussions with his Department, this update also includes an independent review to verify the strategies of Grid 25 on the basis of changing circumstances since 2008."

(CD/JP)