The Irish Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has announced his Department has issued a request for tenders to undertake a study of comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission lines versus underground cables.

The purpose of the study, announced by Eamon Ryan, is to provide the best available independent professional advice on the relative merits of constructing and operating overhead transmission lines compared to underground cables. The study will focus on technical characteristics, reliability, operation and maintenance factors, environmental impact, possible health issues and cost of both types of electricity infrastructure.

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The independent study has been commissioned in response to publicly expressed concerns in respect of current transmission line projects being developed by EirGrid, the independent transmission systems operator. The aim of this initiative is to provide clarity on issues in relation to overhead versus underground transmission lines, thereby informing policy decisions on all current and future transmission line projects.

As part of the proposed task, the consultants employed to undertake the study will be asked by the Minister to review submissions, which may be made to the Department on the subject matter of the study, and to take account of these submissions, as appropriate, in the final report.

(JM)