A new subsea electricity interconnector linking Ireland and the United Kingdom, the Greenlink Interconnector, has commenced operations, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien has announced.

The 500 megawatt (MW) project has entered its 'commercial operations' phase following successful testing and a three-year construction period.

The Greenlink Interconnector doubles the State's electricity interconnection capacity to 1 Gigawatt (GW), adding to the existing East-West Interconnector commissioned in 2012. This development is considered a significant step towards a more connected and energy-secure Ireland, while also supporting the transition to a net-zero energy future.

Electricity interconnectors facilitate the sharing of power between countries, providing valuable back-up during periods of reduced electricity system capacity. These connections also enable increased energy imports in the event of adverse shocks, such as extreme weather conditions.

The Greenlink Interconnector has been recognised as a 'Project of Common Interest' (PCI), identifying it as a key cross-border infrastructure project linking the energy systems of European countries and of strategic importance. As a PCI, the project received funding under the Connecting Europe Facility. Greenlink is expected to enhance energy security, grid resilience, and provide benefits to energy consumers. It is also seen as vital for grid system balancing and will further the integration of renewable energy sources and regional investments.

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The importance of interconnection is expected to grow as renewable energy sources constitute a larger proportion of the Irish and European electricity supply, both for imports and exports. Future interconnection developments, aligned with Ireland’s expanding renewable energy sector, are projected to enable the State to transition from a net importer to a net exporter of electricity.

In July 2023, the government published its 'National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection', outlining plans to re-establish connectivity to mainland Europe via the Celtic Interconnector with France by 2030, and envisaging a further connection to Great Britain. The policy also details how the State intends to increase its electricity interconnection capacity by exploring new opportunities with continental Europe.

Welcoming the Greenlink Interconnector, Minister O'Brien said: "I want to congratulate the team at Greenlink for bringing this critical piece of energy infrastructure for Ireland and the UK to life. I want to thank the CRU, EirGrid and ESB Networks, who have played a crucial role in the consideration and delivery of this project. I also want to thank our UK and Welsh partners for achieving this milestone, and look forward to future collaboration in this area. This project is a tangible expression of our ever-strengthening energy relationship with the UK, and highlights the value and benefits which international energy collaboration can bring."

He added, "Increased electricity interconnection will be a key enabler in our growing use of renewable energy, facilitating the delivery of the necessary infrastructure to support our energy ambitions in our journey to a net-zero power system. Interconnection will also play an important role in our transition to become a net energy exporter, making Ireland central to wider European energy plans. The role of interconnection is a large part of our wider energy ambitions, and State is taking an integrated forward planning approach to interconnection, which is aligned with offshore renewable energy forward planning."

The UK's Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, said: "It is important that Ireland and the UK work together to strengthen our mutual energy security, and drive forward in reaching our clean energy potential. This cable between Wexford and Wales will help deliver our Clean Power 2030 mission and support Ireland's renewable expansion by allowing us to trade more cheaper-to-generate clean energy with each other, helping both nations to move away from volatile fossil fuel markets."