News
Ryan welcomes electricity interconnector cable project
The decision by UK energy regulator Ofgem to approve two new electricity interconnectors between Britain and the island of Ireland has been welcomed by outgoing Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan. One interconnector project, LirIC, will link Scotland with Northern Ireland via a 142km subsea cable and deliver 0.7 GW of additional electricity capacity. The other, MaresConnect, is a 190km subsea cable between Wales and the Republic of Ireland which will deliver 0.75GW of additional electricity capacity Researcher in energy economics at UCD Professor Lisa Ryan said the news of these two interconnectors is “very welcome”. “Anybody modelling renewable energy sees interconnectors as necessary to decarbonise,” Prof Ryan said. Speaking in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the COP29 climate conference, Mr Ryan said
MaresConnect welcomes positive decision from Ofgem on initial project assessment (IPA)
Dublin, 12 November 2024 Ofgem announced today its minded to decision to award Cap & Floor regulation to the 750MW MaresConnect interconnector project as part of its Initial Project Assessment of the third Cap & Floor application window for electricity interconnectors. Ofgem’s review recognised MaresConnect for its potential to support cross-border energy security, renewable integration, and enhanced system flexibility within Great Britain and Ireland. Ofgem has approved a further 6GW of interconnection capacity between Great Britain and its neighbours consistent with the Government’s policy of achieving a total of 18GW by 2030. “We very much welcome Ofgem’s positive response,” said Simon Ludlam, CEO at MaresConnect. “This endorsement strengthens our commitment to a more connected energy future and highlights our project’s
Ireland, Belgium and the UK increase their cooperation on interconnection and renewables
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, along with his Belgian and UK counterparts, Minister Tinne van der Straeten and Andrew Bowie, have signed a Joint Statement in Bruges, Belgium today, which paves the way for greater cooperation on renewables and interconnection opportunities between the three countries. Minister Ryan spoke about how a multilateral approach is the only way to address Europe’s collective climate responsibilities. For Ireland specifically, he made the point that the most effective way to take advantage of our offshore wind potential over coming decades is to put in place the infrastructure that allows us to access other markets. Minister Ryan said: “Increased electricity interconnection is key as we continue to grow our use
Public Consultations to be held in Wales to discuss the MaresConnect Electricity Interconnector
North Wales, 13 February 2024 Public consultations to discuss MaresConnect, the proposed 750MW electricity interconnector between Ireland and Wales, have been announced by the developer MaresConnect Limited. Tom Brinicombe, Planning and Permitting Manager for MaresConnect commented: “We are pleased to announce a series of public consultation events designed to introduce and discuss the project with local communities and stakeholders. “MaresConnect is intended to create a link between the Irish and British electricity transmission networks, enabling electricity to flow in both directions between Ireland and Wales. It will play an important role in: increasing energy security; facilitating the integration of renewable energy within the transmission network; and supporting downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices. While these events are the first public