The two national transmission system operators, EirGrid in Ireland and its French counterpart, RTE (Réseau de Transport d'Electricité), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to commission further preliminary studies on the feasibility of building a submarine electricity interconnector between Ireland and France.
An Ireland-France interconnector would, if developed, run between the south coast of Ireland and the north west coast of France, with a cable run of approximately 600 km. Over recent months, EirGrid and RTE have conducted studies which indicated that an interconnector between the two countries could be beneficial for electricity customers in Ireland and France.
By this agreement, the two TSOs will continue their co-operation and conduct further detailed feasibility studies. These will focus in 2013 on desktop analysis of the seabed to identify potential route corridors.
The capacity being considered would be approximately 700 MW. Last year EirGrid completed construction on the 500 MW submarine East West Interconnector between Ireland and Wales.
EirGrid chief executive Fintan Slye commented: "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".
Pierre Bornard, senior executive vice-president, 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".
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