EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s national electricity grid, is establishing a €3.48 million community benefit fund as part of its East Meath-North Dublin Grid Upgrade.

The project involves installing a high-capacity 400 kV underground electricity cable linking Woodland substation near Batterstown, Co Meath, to Belcamp substation near Clonshaugh, north Dublin.

The fund will be released in three stages – at the start of construction, mid-way through the project, and upon energisation – and will support initiatives focused on sustainability, community development, and biodiversity. Planning permission for the upgrade was granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála in February 2025, allowing EirGrid to proceed with both the construction and the community fund.

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To ensure local groups can access the fund, EirGrid, in partnership with project management team M-CO, will host a series of workshops and drop-in events in Kilbride, Batterstown and St Margaret’s. These sessions will provide practical guidance on applying for funding and allow attendees to discuss the project with EirGrid staff.

Sinead Dooley, Head of Public Engagement at EirGrid, said: “Meaningful and effective engagement is essential for EirGrid to achieve our purpose - to transform the power system for future generations. Our community benefit fund recognises the importance of local communities who support and live alongside our work and we have been supported by community representatives as part of our community forum throughout this process.”

The workshops are scheduled as follows:

• Thursday 16 October, 7–8.30pm: Sweeney's of Kilbride, Kilbride, Co Meath

• Wednesday 22 October, 7–8.30pm: Caffrey’s, Batterstown, Co Meath

• Wednesday 29 October, 7–8.30pm: St Margaret's GAA Club, Co Dublin

Learn more about the East Meath-North Dublin Grid Upgrade here: eirgrid.ie/eastmeathnorthdublin