Transmission System Operators, EirGrid in Ireland and its French counterpart, RTE (Réseau de Transport d’Electricité), have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding to commission “further preliminary studies” on the feasibility of building the cable.
The capacity of the Ireland-France interconnector could be approximately 700 megawatts (MW), or the equivalent of the power demand of about 450,000 households. Last year EirGrid completed construction on the 500MW submarine East West Interconnector between Ireland and Wales.
If developed the interconnector would run between the south coast of Ireland and the north west coast of France.
Fintan Slye, EirGrid chief executive, said: “The project, if it proceeds, would be expected to be in place by 2025. The benefits of the Ireland-France interconnector could include increased security of supply, downward price pressure on electricity prices through competition, and the potential to export renewable energy”.
Both companies said they would continue to deepen their cooperation, and conduct further detailed feasibility studies.
Pierre Bornard, senior executive vice-president of RTE said: “The construction of the interconnector would facilitate the integration of renewable energy in the European electricity system, and would benefit from the varying wind resources of Ireland and the Continent. It would also improve the quality of electricity supply in the north west part of France”.