June 2022
Planning application
EirGrid, the operator and developer of the national electricity grid, has submitted a Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application to An Bord Pleanála for the North Connacht 110kV Project.
The application was submitted following extensive technical assessments, consultations and engagement with local communities, as well as with Mayo and Roscommon County Councils, and other stakeholders.
Subject to planning approval, the project will move into the construction phase in 2023.
November 2021
Swinford Public Information days:
As part of ongoing engagement with the public, we will hold two public information days in Swinford to discuss the North Connacht 110kV Project.
The public information days will take place on:
Tuesday, November 30th from 11am to 4pm
Wednesday, December 1st from 10am to 1.30pm
Venue: Swinford Cultural Centre Eircode: F12 WK83
Please note: All Covid-19 protocols will be followed each day.
September 2021
Best Performing Route Option:
The North Connacht 110 kV Project is now at the end of Step 4 of our six-step process.
Following continued engagement with communities, local landowners, relevant agencies and completion of further studies, we can confirm the best performing route option for the North Connacht 110 kV underground electricity cable.
Under Ground Cable Route
The 110 kV underground cable circuit route runs from Moy 110 kV Substation in Ballina Co. Mayo to Tonroe 110 kV Substation in Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon. It is approximately 60 km in length. It bypasses major towns and villages such as Ballina, Foxford and Ballaghaderreen. Further assessments are ongoing to establish the best performing routing of the cable at Swinford – this information will be made available later this year.
Autumn Brochure:
Click here to read the Autumn 2021 Brochure
Virtual Exhibition
Visit our virtual exhibition centre here
Attend a Webinar
Webinars will take place on the 9th and 14th September 2021. You can register to attend by clicking here.
Community Forum
Express an interest in being a representative on the North Connacht 110 kV Project Community Forum by clicking here. The deadline for expressions of interest is the 23 September.
4C Report:
Click here to read the 4C Report
Talk to us
You can contact our Community Liaison Team to talk about this project or request that project information is sent to you by post or email.
Your Community Liaison Officer is Eoghan O Sullivan who can be contacted on: 087 247 7732
Email the team: NorthConnachtProject@eirgrid.com
July 2021
North Connacht Project Update Webinars:
The project team will host 2 webinars, to provide an update of work being undertaken since the announcement of the Emerging Best Preforming Option. Members of the public can learn more about the project, what’s happening next and ask questions to the project team. These webinars will be held on Tuesday 20th July at 7pm and Thursday 22nd July at 1.30pm.
Register here in advance for the webinar on Tuesday 20th July at 7pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VpRWZ3QFQ3GauxhcBUn30A
Register here in advance for the webinar on Thursday 22nd July at 1.30 pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ONeJ1eeUSjy-fmrg1O5Lvg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you have any queries or questions in advance of the webinar, please email NorthConnachtProject@Eirgrid.com or contact Eoghan on 0872477732.
March 2021
Webinar - 31 March at 6pm
Following the announcement of an Emerging Best Performing Option for the North Connacht 110 kV project, the project team will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday 31 March at 6pm where members of the public can learn more about how this option was arrived at, what happens next, and ask any questions to the project team. To register, please email NorthConnachtProject@Eirgrid.com or contact Eoghan on 0872477732.
EirGrid Selects Underground Cable Option for North Connacht 110 kV Project
Following feedback gathered during the public consultation process and analysis carried out on the seven corridor options during Step 4, EirGrid is now in a position to confirm the Emerging Best Performing Option (EBPO) for the North Connacht 110 kV project and has published a full evaluation report on this outcome.
Identification of the EBPO has considered and balanced five key criteria in the Framework for Grid Development: technical, economic, environmental, social and deliverability. The EirGrid project team evaluated four overhead line and three underground cable routes within a study area that stretched from Foxford in the west to Tubercurry in the east; and Ballina in the north to Ballaghaderreen in the south.
Having reviewed and considered the outcomes of our assessment process from a multi-criteria perspective, Underground Corridor Option 2 has been identified as the Emerging Best Performing Option. Option 2 runs from Moy substation near Ballina along the west of the study area, passing Swinford before reaching Tonroe substation near Ballaghaderreen.
The identification of option 2 as the EBPO considers the feedback received during the Step 4A public consultation. Of the respondents there was a strong preference for underground cable corridor options. The EBPO proposes using substantial portions of the national road network, in particular sections of the N5 and N26. Discussions with key stakeholders such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland and local authorities are ongoing and will continue over the coming months before we are able to confirm a specific route for the project.
It is important to state that underground cable isn’t feasible for every project. Whenever we attempt to use underground cable for a transmission circuit we must undertake more detailed analysis than we would for a new overhead line circuit. The reason we must do that analysis is because the technical properties of an underground cable are different to an overhead line.
In recent months EirGrid has completed additional technical analysis to confirm the feasibility of underground technology in the case of the North Connacht 110 kV project.
While an underground solution has been chosen as the EBPO for the project, it still presents some challenges which may result in disruption on account of potential cable routing through various towns such as Swinford, Ballaghaderreen, Ballina and complex crossings of the River Moy. In Ballina, Option 2 involves crossing the Moy in the town itself and, while this is still being considered, we are still exploring alternative options for crossing the River Moy north of Foxford, but before Ballina, which in turn would bring us onto option 1. This is reflected in the mapping of the EBPO.
Over the next few months, we will continue our assessments, undertake on-the-ground surveys and engage with local landowners and stakeholders within the environs of the EBPO. EirGrid is committed to undertaking additional studies to identify feasible cable options outside built up areas which will reduce the temporary disruption during project construction as much as possible.
When our assessments are complete, and a Best Performing Option has been identified, we will publish a Step 4C report. This report will outline the Best Performing Option for the North Connacht 110 kV project which will then be taken forward to the planning process (Step 5) later in 2021.
For more information on the project please get in touch with the liaison team. For Eoghan, call 0872477732 or Aidan call 0861720156.
February 2021
The North Connacht 110 kV project is currently in the middle of Step 4 of EirGrid’s Six Step approach to Grid Development. Our objective in Step 4 is to work through our assessment process to establish where exactly the most appropriate place is to build the project. At this step, stakeholder feedback can have a significant influence on where exactly we build. We have worked closely with local people who may be directly affected, in order to understand how the project could impact them and how we could locate and design it to minimise this impact.
Public consultation scheduled to end on 16 November 2020, was extended to 11 December 2020. We are now publishing the Step 4 Consultation Report supported by a Project Update document and current FAQs. We are publishing this information to demonstrate transparency in our approach. This report, coupled with the results taken from further assessments across technical, economic, environmental and deliverability criteria, will allow us to make a well-informed decision on the emerging best performing corridor and technology option for the project.
In the next few weeks, EirGrid will publish a detailed report (Step 4B report) containing the details of our assessments and the emerging best performing option for the North Connacht 110 kV project. This will include a summary of all assessments carried out to date and outline how public feedback was considered in the decision-making process. We will also be announcing further public engagement activities, such as additional project webinars and a new brochure, at that stage.
Once the emerging best performing option is identified (Step 4B report), we will conduct detailed analysis on that specific corridor in order to determine an exact route for the project. This route will be outlined in greater detail in a Step 4C report which we will publish towards the middle of 2021. The Step 4C report will confirm a final best performing option to be taken into Step 5 (planning process).
November 2020
EirGrid is extending public consultation to 11 December on the North Connacht 110 kV project, a new electricity development that runs from Ballina in Mayo to Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon.
The extension will provide further opportunity for people living in Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon to provide feedback on this important piece of electricity infrastructure. The consultation, which began on 15 September, was scheduled to finish on 16 November .
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic presents challenges in how we communicate with people. We have sought to address these challenges by adding new online channels for people to provide feedback.
We recognise that a number of people in the community are more comfortable with traditional engagement methods. We will continue to provide these and have extended the consultation period to allow time for us to have more conversations with communities and ensure they can avail of our freepost service to provide feedback. We thank those members of the public who have attended webinars and submitted feedback and we encourage those that have not yet engaged with us to do so and take advantage of the consultation extension.
People can still submit feedback online or, where they are unable to access the internet, contact a member of the liaison team by telephone.
The North Connacht 110 kV project will underpin investment in the region and facilitate the growth of renewable energy. It will be either an underground cable or overhead line that links the electricity substations at Moy near Ballina and Tonroe near Ballaghaderreen.
The EirGrid project team is currently evaluating possible routes for the circuit within a study area that runs from Foxford in the west to Tubercurry in the east; and Ballina in the north to Ballaghaderreen in the south.
The team is looking for feedback on the seven potential routes identified in the study area, four of which are for overhead lines and three for underground cables.
In the next few weeks EirGrid is writing to 41,000 homes in the study area, providing them with additional information on the project and guidance on how they can provide feedback to the project team. The views submitted by the public on our proposals, along with results from further studies, will help us to identify the best option to take forward to the planning process.
The project is reaching a critical point where we will soon determine the best possible route. Feedback on our proposals, along with results from further studies, will help us to identify the best option to take forward to the planning process.
Telephone clinics will continue to be available for the duration of the consultation period and additional webinars have been scheduled on the following dates:
- Tuesday 01 December at 1pm
- Thursday 03 December at 6pm
- Monday 07 December at 8pm
See all the ways you can learn more about the project and get in touch below. And for more information, please call the liaison team on 087 247 7732.
September 2020
EirGrid has restarted public consultation the North Connacht 110 kV Project. The project is an electricity circuit that runs from Ballina in Mayo to Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon that will underpin investment in the region and facilitate the growth of renewable energy.
The circuit will be either an underground cable or overhead line that links the existing electricity substations at Moy near Ballina and Tonroe near Ballaghaderreen. The EirGrid project team is currently evaluating possible routes for the circuit within a study area that runs from Foxford in the west to Tubercurry in the east; and Ballina in the north to Ballaghaderreen in the south.
The team is looking for feedback on the seven potential routes identified in the study area, four of which are for overhead lines and three for underground cables. The public consultation runs for two months from 14 September to 16 November.
The previous round of consultation ended in July 2018 and helped determine a suitable study area where the new circuit could be placed.
During the summer we invited people living in the study area to complete a short survey to help guide how we could best communicate with them. Following a comprehensive analysis of the responses, we are happy to provide a mix of traditional and innovative, online methods that range from telephone clinics to virtual project exhibitions;
These methods include:
- Virtual project exhibitions
- Telephone clinics
- Consultation questionnaire
- Detailed reports and project information
- Project updates by mailing list
- Project webinars in October 2020
In addition, all homes within the project study area will receive this flyer w/c 19 October.
Documents related to this next step in the project can be found in our related documents section under Step 4A.
July 2020
EirGrid is currently contacting thousands of stakeholders across the study area, as part of our pre consultation assessment in relation to the North Connacht 110kV project.
We want to hear from people living within the study area of the proposed North Connacht 110kV project, which will run from Moy substation near Ballina, Co. Mayo to Tonroe substation near Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.
The EirGrid project team is currently evaluating possible routes for the circuit within a defined study area that runs from Foxford in the west to Tubercurry in the east; and Ballina in the north to Ballaghadreen in the south.
The project is a new 110 kV circuit that will reinforce the electricity network in the North West and facilitate the movement of wind energy from the region. The circuit will be either an underground cable or overhead line.
With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we are looking at new ways to engage with people living in the study area as the project progresses. To help us understand how you would like us to engage with you please complete the short survey here. The survey answers provided will help shape our engagement as we consult with stakeholders in the study area, from September through to November this year. The survey will be available until Friday August 22nd.
The project will soon reach a critical point where we will determine the best possible routes for an overhead line or underground cable. It is vitally important that we receive feedback from people who may be affected by the project. Project updates can be received by emailing a request to northconnachtproject@eirgrid.com
The project team will launch a formal round of public consultation in September, the details of which will be published here or provided by email when they become available.
For more information you can contact our Liaison Team. See their contact details below:
Community Liaison Officer – Eoghan O’Sullivan
E-mail: eoghan.osullivan@eirgrid.com
Telephone: 087-247-7732
Agricultural Liaison Officer – Aidan Naughton
E-mail: Aidan.naughton@eirgrid.com
Telephone: 0861720156
October 2019
EirGrid is rolling out a series of information days for the North Connacht project. Times, dates and locations as per the below:
Tuesday 15 October: Cultural Centre, Swinford, 1pm-8pm
Wednesday 16th October: Oak Suite, Great National Hotel, Ballina, 1pm-8pm
Thursday 17th October: Northern and Western NWRA Chamber, Ballaghaderreen, 1pm-8pm
Come and talk to us so we can answer your questions.
February 2019
Last month we confirmed Moy near Ballina, in Co. Mayo, and Tonroe near Ballaghaderreen, in Co. Roscommon as the start and end point for the proposed new circuit. If you have any questions about this decision please feel free to drop in to our Mobile Unit at a town near you. The North Connacht project team will be available to answer your questions.
12 February Charlestown, Market Square, 10am – 4pm
13 February Ballaghaderreen, The Square, 10am – 4pm
19 February Tobercurry, Wolfe Tone Square, 10am – 4pm
20 February Swinford, Main Street, 10am – 4pm
26 February Foxford, Carpark behind Centra, 10am – 4pm
27 February Ballina, Pearse Street, 10am – 4pm
January 2019
EirGrid has confirmed the start and end points for the North Connacht Project.
A series of economic, socio-economic, environmental and technical network studies have concluded that the line should run between the electricity substations at Moy near Ballina in county Mayo, and Tonroe, near Ballaghadreen, in Co. Roscommon. The other option was a circuit between Moy and Srananagh in Co. Sligo.
The next step in the development of the project is to choose the best technology and to determine the most suitable route between the two substations. This phase will also establish whether the line will be overhead, underground or a combination of both, and formal consultation activities will resume later in 2019.
Interested members of the public are invited to visit EirGrid Regional Office, Chapel House, 3 Upper Chapel Street, in Castlebar. The office will be open from Monday, 7th January until Friday, 18th January (between 10am and 4pm), and members of the EirGrid team will be available to answer any questions on the project.
For more information, please click here.
August 2018
The feedback period for Step 3 of the North Connacht project ended on 23 July 2018. We will now decide on a preferred technology for the project, and on the study area where this option could be placed.
We will base our decision on a detailed analysis of your feedback, and on a number of factors:
- economic,
- technical,
- social,
- environmental, and
- deliverability
When that is complete, we will publish a Step 3 report outlining our decision and the reasons behind it.
The project will then move to Step 4, which involves identifying corridors and selecting a route for the chosen technology option. We will consult with the general public and stakeholders in the study area during Step 4. Information on this round of consultation will appear on our website, on social media and in local newspapers. We expect this to happen in Spring 2019.
In the meantime if you would like any extra information on this project please contact us at northconnachtproject@eirgrid.com or write to Project Manager, North Connacht 110 kV Project, The Oval, 160 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, D04 FW28, Ireland.
June 2018
We are now seeking feedback from the public, community groups and other stakeholders. This feedback, along with social, economic, environmental and technical considerations, will help us to identify the best technology option.
If you would like to make a submission on this stage of the project, you can contact us at northconnachtproject@eirgrid.com or write to Project Manager, North Connacht 110 kV Project, The Oval, 160 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, D04 FW28, Ireland. Submissions for this stage must be received by 23 July 2018.
Members of our team are available to talk to you about the project at our mobile unit or our Castlebar office.
Do drop by at the times listed below if you’d like more information.
Mobile Information Unit:
- Ballina, 12 June, 10am-7pm; 13th June, 10am-4pm;
- Foxford, 19 June, 10am-7pm;
- Swinford, 20 June, 10am-7pm;
- Charlestown, 21 June, 10am-4pm;
- Dromore West, 26 June, 10am-7pm;
- Collooney, 27 June, 10am-7pm;
- Ballaghaderreen, 28 June, 10am-5pm.
EirGrid Office, 3 Upper Chapel St, Castlebar:
- 3-5 July, 10am-6pm.
Reminder: Step three does not select a route for the project. The selection of a route will take place at step four, following further consultation with stakeholders and the public.