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EirGrid and RTE ink key agreements for Celtic Interconnector

By: Tom Russell 25/11/2022 EirGrid

General Interconnectors

Ireland’s electricity grid operator EirGrid and its French counterpart Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE) have signed key technical and financial agreements for the Celtic Interconnector.

The 320 kV Celtic Interconnector will be the first direct link between Ireland’s electricity network and mainland Europe. The high-voltage submarine power cable link will have a 700 MW capacity and span around 575-kilometres. It will travel rom East Cork to the north-west coast of Brittany and will be able to import and export enough electricity to power 450,000 homes. It is expected the project will be built and operational by 2026.

The interconnector will connect into substations at Knockraha, Cork in Ireland and La Martyre in France, which studies identified as the best locations to connect to the transmission system in each country.

Contracts have been signed with Siemens Energy for the development of converter stations in Ireland and France; and French cable manufacturer Nexans, which will design and install the cable between the two countries. Agreements have also been signed for €800 million of financing to be provided by the European Investment Bank, Danske Bank, Barclays and BNP.

Mark Foley, EirGrid Chief Executive, commented: “The Celtic Interconnector is a key part of EirGrid’s strategic goal to transform Ireland’s power system and increase the use of renewable electricity. Interconnection with France makes the power system more resilient and efficient and allows renewables to become the primary energy source on the national grid.”

The project has been recognised by the EU as a Project of Common Interest (PCI). A PCI is an infrastructure project that links the energy systems of EU countries and provides access to financial support through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – a fund to develop Europe’s energy, transport and digital networks. In 2019, EirGrid and RTE were awarded €530.7 million of CEF financing for the project.

“Investment in cross-border electricity interconnectors is essential to deliver climate and energy goals. The European Investment Bank is pleased to support the Celtic Interconnector as part of our support for climate action and energy security across Europe.” said Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the European Investment Bank.

For more information on interconnector projects worldwide, click here. Alternatively you can projects on 4C Offshore's interactive map.

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EirGrid and RTE ink key agreements for Celtic Interconnector

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