Connecting Communities
MaresConnect Interconnector will provide infrastructure to support energy security, put downward pressure on consumer energy prices and help facilitate the transition to a low carbon energy future
bringing benefits to the community
MaresConnect will foster the integration of further, substantial renewable energy sources to support the Irish and UK governments’ 2030 green energy targets and achieve their Net Zero goal. Further interconnection between the two nations will increase security of supply. Interconnection creates downward pressure on wholesale energy prices, leading to savings for energy consumers.
The project is expected to result in approximately €860 million of private capital investment in Ireland and Wales and will create long-term jobs in construction and operations. In addition, the project has the potential to bring further benefits with the inclusion of a high-speed direct fibre optic communications link between Ireland and Great Britain.
Note: The number of homes is based on the annual average household consumption of 4,200kWh (CRU’s decision paper published in March 2017 following its review of typical consumption figures (CER17042)) and an annual total of electricity transmitted via MaresConnect of approximately 2,400,000MWh.
Latest Project News and Updates
MaresConnect welcomes new interconnector policy in Ireland
Dublin, 27 July 2023 Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications confirms further interconnection to Great Britain by 2030 MaresConnect welcomes the publication of the Irish Government’s National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection, announced on 25 July 2023 by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan. The Interconnector Policy confirms Ireland’s support for further connection between Ireland and Great Britain by 2030, with proposed projects …
Ireland: Application for a foreshore licence and invitation for public submissions or observations for the purpose of conducting stage 2 appropriate assessment
13 July 2023 MaresConnect Limited (MCL) has applied to the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a Foreshore Licence under Section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, to carry out site investigation survey works off the coast of County Dublin; these site investigation works are to be carried out in order to determine the suitability of the area for cable routeing and other electrical infrastructure associated …
Wales: Application for a marine licence for the MaresConnect Interconnector seabed survey
12 July 2023 MaresConnect Limited has applied to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for a licence to undertake marine surveys to inform the design and routeing of the marine cable component of the potential Interconnector. The aim of the surveys is to identify environmental and technical constraints to be incorporated into a final marine licence application. The results of surveys and details of the constraints will be clearly set out in …
MaresConnect Response to SEM Committee Consultation on Compensation Arrangements for Net Transfer Capacity Reductions
5 May 2023 Emer Gerrard Commission for Regulation of Utilities Dublin and Simon O’Hare Utility Regulator Belfast MaresConnect Limited (MCL) welcomes the SEM consultation on Compensation Arrangements for Net Transfer Capacity Reductions published on 15 March 2023 (the Consultation). MaresConnect is a proposed 750MW electricity interconnector linking the power markets of Ireland (IE) and Great Britain (GB). MaresConnect has a GB interconnector licence and a GB grid connection agreement for …
MaresConnect’s response to consultation on Ofgem’s proposed approach to project delivery delays as part of the timelines and incentives framework applied to the Third Window
31 March 2023 MaresConnect Limited (MCL) welcomes the consultation on Ofgem’s proposed approach to project delivery delays as part of the timelines and incentives framework applied to the Third Window published on 24 February 2023 (the Consultation). We set out below our responses to each of the consultation questions. 1. Do you agree with the proposals of the modified Regime Start Date and modified Backstop Date concepts as part of …
MaresConnect Interconnector appoints former ESB chief Pat O’Doherty as Chairman
Dublin, 24 October 2022 MaresConnect Limited has announced today that it has appointed the former Chief Executive of ESB, Pat O’Doherty, as Chairman and non-executive Director of its Board. MaresConnect is being developed by Foresight Group’s[1] energy transition fund, Foresight Energy Infrastructure Partners, and Etchea Energy [2]. MaresConnect is a proposed 750MW electricity interconnector linking the power markets of Ireland and Great Britain[3]. The cable route is approximately 245km under-sea …