Ireland
MaresConnect strongly believes that a proactive and constructive dialogue with local Irish stakeholders throughout the development programme will result in the highest quality application and project design.
MaresConnect in Ireland
In Ireland, MaresConnect will consist of a converter station sited in the Greater Dublin Area and underground cabling.
Various detailed technical and environmental surveys will be carried out during the development process to ensure that the final design fully incorporates the challenges and opportunities of the local environment.
Technical and environmental studies will include:
- Biodiversity;
- Cultural heritage;
- Landscape and visual impact;
- Flooding and hydrology;
- Geology and hydrogeology;
- Noise and vibration;
- Traffic and transport;
- Socio economics; and
- Air quality
Construction of the MaresConnect Interconnector is expected to lead to significant capital investment in Ireland. We are committed to maximising the use of locally based contractors and personnel during the construction and operational phases of the project and are always keen to hear of local businesses that could benefit.
We will be holding community consultations at various times over the course of 2023/4 for us to better understand local concerns and to provide up-to-date information on the project. As the project progresses, we will establish an online portal for local business to connect with the MaresConnect procurement process.
Current Status
Landfall location
This is the location where the subsea cable reaches the shore and is connected to the onshore cable. The method of installation selected will depend on the results of consultation and technical and environmental surveys. The selected method will be clearly described in planning documentation to ensure that the local community and permitting authority is fully informed on the proposed methodology to be used when reviewing the application documentation.
Status: Feasibility assessment ongoing and will be consulted on.
Underground HVDC cables
The onshore cable route between the landfall location and converter station will consist of buried High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables. Typically, HVDC cables can be installed within the local road network and the initial default onshore route is likely to be located predominantly within the road network prior to refining the proposed cable route as consultation and environmental and technical assessments are undertaken. We are aiming to identify the shortest cable route that can be installed in an environmentally sensitive manner while minimising impacts on the local community.
Status: Feasibility assessment ongoing and will be consulted on.
Converter station
A converter station will be located near an existing EirGrid substation, with the exact substation selection being subject to an ongoing technical review of options in Greater Dublin Area. In the process of transmitting electricity from Ireland to Wales, the converter station will change the electricity from direct current (DC), which is efficient for transmission over long distances, into alternating current (AC), used in the national transmission systems. The converter station will also perform this process in reverse when transmitting electricity from Wales to Ireland. MaresConnect is currently evaluating potential sites to determine an optimal location for the converter station. The final decision on location and design will be informed by consultations, as well as environmental and technical assessments.
Status: Preferred converter station site selection ongoing and will be consulted on.
Underground HVAC cables
High-Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) cables are required to connect the converter station to an existing EirGrid substation. The cables are expected to be buried for the full length of the cable route between the converter station and substation.
Status: Preferred HVAC cable route assessment ongoing and will be consulted on.