EirGrid plc Annual Report 2012

EIRGRID PLC ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2012Further Interconnection and Off-Shore Grid DevelopmentEirGrid is investigating the appropriate next steps for further interconnection, includingengagement with neighbouring TSOs in the UK and France, the identification ofappropriate schemes and the investigation of the business cases for such development.EirGrid will engage with the regulators and governments and will ensure stakeholdersare fully informed of project progress at the appropriate time. EirGrid also made a majorcontribution to the market and network modelling of the North Seas region under theaegis of European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E)and North Seas Countries’ Offshore Grid Initiative (NSCOGI) and continues to be one ofthree market modellers for the North Seas region for ENTSO-E and for NSCOGI.Grid25 Focus Areas for 2013EirGrid has invested in a significant transmission development programme as evidencedby the volume of work which is currently in progress and which will be startingconstruction in the coming years. EirGrid will continue to focus in the coming yearon the effective and efficient delivery of the suite of transmission projects withinthe Grid25 programme. This includes continued engagement with ESB Networks onmulti-year programme planning and delivery of construction programmes.Aerial examination of thetransmission system underway.The Grid25 programme is expected to progress significantly through 2013, with majoradvances planned for all projects through the different stages from planning tocompletion.• EirGrid expects that approximately 100km of new build and 300km of line upratingswill be completed in 2013. Having achieved planning permission for both theMullingar Reinforcement and the Clashavoon-Dunmanway project in 2012, furtherstudies will progress on both of these projects before construction begins, whileboth the West Galway project and the Laois Kilkenny project will enter the planningprocess.• The Grid West and Grid Link Projects will enter Stage 2 of the public consultationprocess, while the North South project is expected to be resubmitted toAn Bord Pleanála.• The Donegal 110kV line will advance further though the construction stage,as will the Tarbert and Millstreet projects.• A considerable amount of studies on the Renewable Integration DevelopmentProject (RIDP) have now been completed and this critical component in theelectricity infrastructure in both Ireland and Northern Ireland will move on tothe next stage in its development.36