EirGrid has reached a major milestone on the Celtic Interconnector project following the completion of onshore cable installation in Ireland and the successful testing of the onshore cable connections.

These latest achievements mark a significant step forward in linking Ireland's electricity grid to France via a 500km subsea cable. Once delivered, the infrastructure project will enable the exchange of 700MW of electricity, which is equivalent to powering 450,000 homes.

Onshore works at Claycastle Beach in east Cork have now concluded. The final onshore cable has been positioned at the landfall point, making it ready for the subsea cable from France to come ashore and link into the underground network. Specialist construction methods allowed the cable to be installed beneath Ballyvergan Marsh while protecting the sensitive local environment, highlighting EirGrid's focus on delivering essential infrastructure in a responsible manner.

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Simultaneously, comprehensive testing of the onshore cables has been successfully completed, with 44km of high voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable now fully installed and operationally ready.

Offshore operations are continuing steadily, with cable protection and burial works currently underway in Irish waters. This follows the installation of 84km of cable last year and 97km of cable laid in French waters this year.

Speaking about the latest milestones, EirGrid Chief Financial Officer, Michael Behan said: "Reaching these milestones shows the significant commitment and collaboration by project teams, and our contract partners. Since breaking ground just over two and a half years ago, 44km of onshore cable has been installed, jointed and tested. These onshore operations included horizontal directional drilling, live rail crossings and a number of river crossings, overcoming engineering challenges to ensure successful installation.

"Through careful planning, and ongoing engagement with communities and stakeholders we are progressing this key energy project which will strengthen Ireland's electricity grid, connect us directly to Europe, and help support the energy transition."

The Celtic Interconnector is being delivered in partnership with Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE), France's electricity transmission system operator, and received funding from the European Commission's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).