Regulation
MaresConnect is included in ENTSO-E’s Ten-Year Development Plan, recognising the project’s key contribution to realising Europe-wide goals related to energy policy and climate change.
Regulatory Support
MaresConnect has been officially recognised as a Project of Mutual Interest (PMI), the EU designation reserved for strategically important infrastructure connecting an EU member state with a non-EU country, having secured a place on the European Union’s second PCI/PMI list. This status confirms the project’s importance to Europe’s energy future and unlocks accelerated permitting under the EU’s TEN-E Regulation, alongside eligibility for Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding. Further information can be found on the European Commission’s PCI-PMI Transparency Platform.
At its core, MaresConnect will strengthen security of supply by creating a new, direct electricity link between the Irish and British electricity grids, allowing power to flow in either direction depending on where it is needed most. This added interconnection reduces both markets’ reliance on domestic generation alone, providing a buffer against local supply shortfalls, unplanned outages, and periods of low wind or other renewable generation. By diversifying the sources from which Ireland and Great Britain can draw power, the project improves overall grid resilience and reduces the risk of price spikes or shortages during periods of peak demand or system stress.
This directly supports the EU’s broader goal of reaching 15% electricity interconnection by 2030, while easing pressure on wholesale electricity prices and enabling deeper cross-border integration of renewable energy. The project’s status reflects strong backing from both the Irish and UK governments and positions MaresConnect among Europe’s most significant energy infrastructure initiatives.
In Ireland
The Irish Government highlighted the importance and need for an interconnector of the same specification as MaresConnect in their Interconnector Policy published on 26 July 2023. Commitment to supporting a further interconnector between Ireland and GB by 2030: “We will support a further connection to Great Britain by 2030 beyond the completion of the Greenlink Interconnector in 2024. This will require comprehensive engagement between the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the CRU, and EirGrid with the proposed projects that have the most realistic prospects of delivery by 2030 as soon as possible.”
External consultant, DNV, conducted a study to support the policy and concluded further interconnection by 2030 is beneficial: “Additional interconnection in 2030 beyond existing projects, or projects that are already at an advance stage of development, has significant economic benefits for the Single Electricity Market and supports the achievement of Ireland’s 2030 energy objectives and de-risks offshore wind development.”
The Irish Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, hosted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Cork for the second UK-Ireland Summit on 13 March 2026. The UK government noted “the UK and Irish Governments will also welcome new progress towards completing two new energy interconnectors”, while the Taoiseach stated “Today, we welcome the constructive engagement between MaresConnect and EirGrid, including ongoing work to identify an optimal grid connection solution in North Dublin. We commit to ensuring progress on both the MaresConnect and North-South Interconnector by the end of 2026.
This collaboration will support the timely development of new transmission infrastructure to strengthen grid capacity, resilience and enhance our energy security”.
In the UK
The UK Government has legislated to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050, with ambitious targets for renewable and low-carbon technologies. The UK Government is targeting at least 18GW of interconnector capacity by 2030, a three-fold increase on 2020 capacity. This objective has subsequently been progressed through Ofgem’s Interconnector Policy Review, which paved the way for the third window for Cap & Floor interconnector projects.
Modelling commissioned by Ofgem in support of this review identified that an additional 5.3GW of interconnection capacity with GB by 2030 could be economically justified. This included 2.8GW of additional capacity with Northwest Europe and 2.5GW with Integrated Single Electricity Market. Recognising the importance of the MaresConnect Interconnector, Ofgem granted it an Interconnector Licence in July 2022.
In Europe
Launched by the European Commission in February 2015, the “Energy Union” represents a shift towards innovative methodologies in energy production, transportation, and consumption. It also signifies a fresh perspective on the design and execution of energy policies. Central to the Energy Union’s success is enhancing the physical interconnection of electricity across EU member states and their neighbouring countries.
An interconnected European energy grid is not just important for strengthening Europe’s energy resilience and security, but is also pivotal in fostering market competition, potentially leading to more favourable pricing.
Furthermore, such a grid is instrumental in realising the EU’s decarbonisation and climate goals to become climate neutral by 2050. An interconnected electricity transmission grid is the cornerstone to completing the EU’s internal energy market. ENTSO-E’s Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) serves as the comprehensive plan for infrastructure development in Europe.
It connects, facilitates and complements national grid development plans, providing a holistic view of the future power system. It details how power links and storage could contribute to a cost-effective and secure energy transition. The TYNDP is essential to the timely and effective development of transmission infrastructure to deliver long term European policy and aspirations.
MaresConnect is included in the TYNDP 2026 as Project #349.