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EirGrid has welcomed the decision to grant planning permission for the North South Interconnector.
The project is a high capacity and resilient link between the electricity grids in Northern Ireland and Ireland and will remove blockages on the network. It will allow for the flow of 900 MW of renewable electricity across the border, in both directions, enough to power 600,000 homes on green energy
EirGrid CEO Mark Foley said: "As we move beyond the immediate Covid-19 crisis to a new reality, it is critical that government does all that it can to unlock the potential of the green recovery and a green jobs revolution. This project will create local construction jobs through its delivery programme; will help reduce the cost of electricity and will provide a route to market for renewable energy at a time when the green collar sector needs it most.
"The Interconnector is essential for ensuring local businesses have the power they need to expand and to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with investors seeking an efficient, green and secure electricity supply.
"Coupled with the extensive change needed to deal with the climate emergency, it is vital that Ireland's electricity system plays its role in meeting these challenges. In this context, the North South Interconnector continues to underpin EirGrid's vision for a clean energy system for Ireland.
"This vital project has been in the planning system for more than a decade, including extensive consultation; neither our economy nor our climate can wait any longer. Let's get it done, together."
