Shaping Dublin’s electricity future
We are installing up to 50km of cables across the city. Some cables will replace existing cables and some will be new. We will also upgrade some electricity substations and build new substations to support Dublin’s electricity network.
Most of the cables operated by EirGrid in Dublin are underground. These cables connect the various electricity substations located around Dublin. The options we considered focus on specific cables that need to be replaced and particular substations that need additional connections to each other
Webinars
Dublin project informational webinars:
- General Public Webinar - 7pm Tuesday 31st May - click to watch.
- Business Webinar - 12.30pm Wednesday 1st June - click to watch.
- Community Webinar - 7pm Thursday 2nd June - click to watch.
What is the study area?
The map below outlines the area in which our studies are taking place in relation to Powering Up Dublin. This area will be refined as the project progresses.
Our studies to date have identified that underground cables linking the following substations need to be replaced:
- North Wall and Poolbeg;
- Finglas and North Wall;
- Poolbeg and Carrickmines; and
- Two cables linking Inchicore and Poolbeg.
Our studies also show a new underground cable connection linking Carrickmines and Inchicore substations is required.
As part of operating the electricity transmission grid, EirGrid measures the strength and reliability of our electricity network on a regular basis.
Meeting electricity needs
We work to ensure our electricity needs can be met minute-by-minute, as well as making plans for future electricity requirements. In doing this, we have identified the parts of Dublin’s network that are working the hardest and need additional support, or need to be replaced.
Building a reliable system and preparing for renewable energy
Based on our analysis, we are examining possible solutions to ensure Dublin’s electricity network will continue to operate reliably in the near future and make the city ready to facilitate renewable energy.
What substations and cables are affected?
There are important substations in Belcamp, Carrickmines, Finglas, Inchicore, North Wall, and Poolbeg that help keep Dublin’s electricity flowing and the underground cables that connect them need to be replaced. A new connection between the substations in Carrickmines and Inchicore needs to be put in place for the first time. See map on page 8. We are also exploring what other works may be required.
What is the next step?
We are looking at options on how we best do this, what areas may be impacted, and how we keep disruption to a minimum.
There are important substations in Belcamp, Carrickmines, Finglas, Inchicore, North Wall, and Poolbeg that help keep Dublin’s electricity flowing and the underground cables that connect them need to be replaced. A new connection between the substations in Carrickmines and Inchicore needs to be put in place for the first time. See map on page 8. We are also exploring what other works may be required.
We know that there will be a considerable amount of roadworks needed to complete the works. We also understand that electricity infrastructure projects like these impact on local residents and businesses. With this in mind, we will set up a Community Forum and a Business Forum to communicate, consult and engage with residents and businesses. If you are interested in these forum, please email dublin@eirgrid.ie.
To help minimise disruption and work as efficiently as possible, EirGrid is coordinating closely with other state-owned utilities, transport providers, local authorities and many more. We have set up a forum with various working groups to support this coordination.
We are currently carrying out studies to help identify route options. Before we make a decision on an underground cable route, we will work closely with local communities and other stakeholders to consult and engage on this process.
No. This project is focusing on underground cables and substation upgrades.
We will spend the next two years consulting and engaging with local communities and stakeholders before a phased construction programme commences in 2024.
We also need to work on feasibility studies, concept designs and planning for the project.
We are committed to engaging, communicating and consulting with you on an ongoing basis.
Over the coming months and years, we will depend on your feedback and collaboration to help us carry out these necessary works with as little disruption as possible.
We cannot make major changes to the grid while power is flowing – and neither can we turn it all off to get work done. If we are to keep Ireland’s electricity secure, we have to sequence the timing of grid projects carefully to ensure that we keep the lights on.
If you want to find out more and help us in planning and shaping Dublin’s electricity future, you can:
- Join us for future consultation, by emailing Dublin@eirgrid.ie
- Get involved in the community or business forums.
We are looking at options on how we best do this, what areas may be impacted, and how we keep disruption to a minimum.
The project is currently in the early stages of development and planning. We are undertaking a range of feasibility studies on underground cable technology and substation technology. This will help guide us in developing potential solutions for substation upgrades and routes for underground cables. We will not make a decision on the route of an underground cable without consulting and engaging with local communities, businesses and other stakeholders. We will keep you up-to-date as the project progresses.
While the Powering Up Dublin project is underway, we will work to give back to communities as part of our community benefit policy. Our support will focus on the themes of community, sustainability and biodiversity. We will be led by local stakeholders on the best ways to use the community funds set aside for these projects, so that your community benefits.
Ireland is already a world leader in renewable energy. These improvements will help facilitate offshore wind development. This is the next step to help Ireland transition to a low carbon electricity future.
These improvements will help meet the growing and changing electricity needs of Dublin. This includes the electrification of transport systems, vehicles, heating and the development of housing, offices, and large energy users.