MoU signed for 5GW Ireland-UK transmission system study

16 September 2012


On 12 September a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to complete a pre-feasibility study for the development, financing, construction and operation of a 5000 MW transmission system – the Energy Bridge Project – for the export of large-scale wind generated electricity from Ireland to the UK starting in 2017.

The companies involved are National Grid, which owns and manages energy networks in the UK and US; REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais) Portugal’s TSO Concessionaire working in association with the State Grid Company of China (the largest electricity transmission company in the world), and wind and solar developer Mainstream Renewable Power which is leading the export project.

Mainstream launched Energy Bridge in June of this year and has already secured an offer for 5000MW of grid connection to the UK. The company is currently engaging with landowners in the midlands of Ireland to secure the land required to start constructing the first 1200 MW phase of the project with the aim of supplying this 1.2GW of capacity to the UK by 2017.

Commenting on the MoU, Mainstream’s chief executive Eddie O’Connor said: “This is a major milestone in our plan to start delivering renewable energy to the UK from 2017. I am delighted to be working with such recognised world leaders in electricity transmission systems. We are now putting a team of experts together in order to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies and a business plan. This will be the precursor to the companies forming a joint venture to develop, build, finance, own and operate the system. This has never been done anywhere in the world and Mainstream is very excited to be leading such a ground breaking project.” Steve Holliday, chief executive of National Grid said: "We are looking forward to working with our partners on this strategic project. With our core skills in developing, owning and operating energy networks and our knowledge of new technologies – including interconnector projects - we are always looking at opportunities like this that can really use our expertise. This has the makings of a really exciting project that can connect consumers and businesses to lots of renewable energy."

Energy Bridge is a private underground electricity network which will transport electricity from wind farms in Ireland - onshore and offshore – to the UK. It will be entirely independent of Ireland’s existing electricity network.




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