A major redevelopment of the Woodland 400kV Substation in County Meath will unlock key grid projects across the region while boosting capacity and resilience to support housing and economic growth. ESB Networks and EirGrid are advancing the scheme, which will strengthen electricity supply in the east of the country as part of planned investment under Price Review 6.

Woodland is the proposed connection point for the Kildare–Meath Grid Upgrade, the East Meath–North Dublin Grid Upgrade and the North–South Interconnector. The upgrade will replace ageing equipment, improve network resilience and add the extra capacity required to accommodate these nationally significant projects and meet Ireland's future electricity needs.

The delivery of the project is also intended to underpin housing development, economic expansion and public transport infrastructure across the affected regions.

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Niall Whitmarsh, High Voltage Project Leader, Dublin North, at ESB Networks, said: "Woodland is one of the most strategically important transmission stations on Ireland's electricity network. It has supported homes, farms and businesses across the east of the country for more than 40 years. This redevelopment is about investing now so the network can meet future demand, support major infrastructure projects and continue to serve communities, businesses and support economic development for decades to come."

Jason Kenna, Head of Network Projects Ireland at EirGrid, said: "We are strengthening and expanding the grid to support Ireland's future needs, which includes reinforcements to the transmission system. The work being carried out at Woodland substation will benefit homes, businesses and economic growth in the region and across Ireland, and enable greater energy independence. The extension of this station will facilitate the connection of critical cable projects which, when delivered, will bring more resilience and capacity to the network both regionally and nationally. It is also a key station for interconnection, with the East West Interconnector connecting at Woodland, linking Ireland's transmission system to Britain."

The companies said they are engaging with local residents and public representatives to minimise disruption during construction. The redevelopment forms part of ESB Networks' and EirGrid's ongoing investment in electricity infrastructure to meet rising demand and support more resilient, secure and sustainable communities.