EirGrid has confirmed that ESB Networks to seek permission for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) where agreement has not been reached on lands needed for the North-South Interconnector Project.
The developer and operator of the national electricity grid said that it is concluding its direct engagement process with landowners in relation to voluntary agreements for lands.
Since October, EirGrid said it has engaged with around 400 landowners across counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath regarding the infrastructure being proposed on their landholding.
The utility’s team of agricultural liaison officers have been meeting with landowners on a one-to-one basis to discuss the compensation payments being offered.
Homeowners who are set to be situated within 200 meters of the electricity line were also contacted about their entitlement to receive proximity payments.
EirGrid
EirGrid’s chief infrastructure officer, Michael Mahon said that they have “endeavoured to engage with every landowner on an individual basis, and proactively address any questions they may have”.
“As we previously detailed in our letter to landowners in January, the closing date to signal an intention to provide this voluntary agreement was last Friday (March 1).
“It has always been our intention to obtain access via this voluntary agreement.
“While this has not always been possible, and although the voluntary deadline has now passed, we remain open to discussing the voluntary package with any landowner who may wish to do so,” he said.
Mahon said that for those landowners who have “definitively opted not to provide the voluntary easement” an application will be made via ESB Networks to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) for a CPO.
“This step was also outlined in the initial letter issued last October, and in our subsequent correspondence.
“Once that order is granted, construction by ESB Networks can proceed, and any compensation due thereafter will be dealt with through a standardised arbitration process.
“This process is similar to what is available for other state utility projects – such as infrastructure around water or roads – when agreement with landowners cannot be reached,” he said.
North-South Interconnector
This North-South Interconnector project aims to add a new 400 kV overhead line, connecting the electricity grids of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The proposed line would run through counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath in Ireland, and Armagh and Tyrone in Northern Ireland.
103km of electricity line are proposed to traverse lands in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan supported by pylons.
The project has been the subject of objections from local community groups and politicians, some of whom have called for the line to be placed underground.
“The North-South Interconnector is a very important strategic project for Ireland and is critical to ensuring we have an electricity grid which is fit for purpose,” Mahon said.
“This robust infrastructure is critical in terms of providing security of supply to the entire island, and it will facilitate 900MW of renewable, clean energy into the future.
“Likewise, the interconnector will provide a local benefit for the people of the north-east by increasing the capacity of the electricity network in the region, thus supporting social and economic growth,” he added.
EirGrid has also committed to a €12 million community benefit fund as part of the project.