East West Interconnector
Encyclopedia
The East–West Interconnector is a high-voltage direct current
submarine and subsoil power cable project, currently under construction, for connecting the UK
and Irish
electricity
markets. The project is being developed by the Irish national grid operator EirGrid
.
's dominant position in the Irish electricity market. By joining the two markets it will allow Irish suppliers to access power in the UK and for UK based suppliers to enter the Irish market without initially having to commit to large capital expenditure, significantly reducing barriers to entry. Irish renewable generators will benefit from the interconnection as it will increase their available market and may make it more economically attractive to construct more large scale renewable generation.
ESB Power Generation has advised of its intention to withdraw approximately 1,300 MW of capacity over the next five years. This will effectively reduce the installed capacity of fully dispatchable
plant from 6,437 MW to 5,150 MW by the end of 2010. This closure of older inefficient power plants coupled with high growth forecasts present a major threat to security of Irish energy supply.
The interconnection will enhance security of supply and grid stability on both countries and create conditions suitable for the development of a new regional market. The European Commission
has expressed the view that European electricity markets would benefit from further interconnection investments. The EU Trans-European Energy Networks Project have classified the UK–Irish Interconnector as a priority project.
–Irish
interconnection date back to the 1970s when the Irish Electricity Supply Board
first examined the possibility of linking the UK and Irish electricity grids. Further studies were conducted in the early 1990s and a joint study was recently conducted between Electricity Supply Board
and National Grid plc
with the support of the European Union
.
, County Dublin
, Ireland, and Barkby Beach in North Wales
. The interconnection will use ±200kV HVDC Light cables with a capacity of 500 MW. It is the first HVDC Light transmission system project, which uses ±200 kV cables. The cables and converter stations are provided by ABB.
Construction of the East West Interconnector commenced in 2010 and it is expected to be operational in 2012. It will cost €600 million. The project will be financed by a €300 million loan from the European Investment Bank
, capital investments from commercial banks, EirGrid equity and a €110 million grant from the European Commission.
. The Imera's cable with a capacity of 350 MW was to be connected at Arklow
substation in County Wicklow
and Pentir Substation in North Wales. The second cable by Imera Power with a capacity of 350–500 MW was proposed between Wexford
and Pembroke
. Both developments were to be funded by the private sector on commercial basis; their costs would not be recovered by system tariffs for all end users in either UK or Ireland, but rather by the users of the cable, large wholesale energy traders. Corresponding exemption from the third party access rule was granted by the European Commission
on 23 November 2009.
High-voltage direct current
A high-voltage, direct current electric power transmission system uses direct current for the bulk transmission of electrical power, in contrast with the more common alternating current systems. For long-distance transmission, HVDC systems may be less expensive and suffer lower electrical losses...
submarine and subsoil power cable project, currently under construction, for connecting the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
markets. The project is being developed by the Irish national grid operator EirGrid
Eirgrid
EirGrid plc is the state-owned electric power transmission operator in the Republic of Ireland. It is a public limited company registered under the Companies Acts; Its shares are held by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who appoints the board and the Minister for Finance...
.
Aim
The interconnection is aimed to increase competition and security of supply, and better use the capacity of wind energy. The additional capacity headroom provided by the interconnection will assist in reducing the Electricity Supply BoardElectricity Supply Board
The Electricity Supply Board , is a semi-state electricity company in Ireland. While historically a monopoly, the ESB now operates as a commercial semi-state concern in a liberalised and competitive market...
's dominant position in the Irish electricity market. By joining the two markets it will allow Irish suppliers to access power in the UK and for UK based suppliers to enter the Irish market without initially having to commit to large capital expenditure, significantly reducing barriers to entry. Irish renewable generators will benefit from the interconnection as it will increase their available market and may make it more economically attractive to construct more large scale renewable generation.
ESB Power Generation has advised of its intention to withdraw approximately 1,300 MW of capacity over the next five years. This will effectively reduce the installed capacity of fully dispatchable
Dispatchable generation
Dispatchable generation refers to sources of electricity that can be dispatched at the request of power grid operators; that is, generating plants that can be turned on or off, or can adjust their power output on demand...
plant from 6,437 MW to 5,150 MW by the end of 2010. This closure of older inefficient power plants coupled with high growth forecasts present a major threat to security of Irish energy supply.
The interconnection will enhance security of supply and grid stability on both countries and create conditions suitable for the development of a new regional market. The European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
has expressed the view that European electricity markets would benefit from further interconnection investments. The EU Trans-European Energy Networks Project have classified the UK–Irish Interconnector as a priority project.
History
Studies for the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
–Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
interconnection date back to the 1970s when the Irish Electricity Supply Board
Electricity Supply Board
The Electricity Supply Board , is a semi-state electricity company in Ireland. While historically a monopoly, the ESB now operates as a commercial semi-state concern in a liberalised and competitive market...
first examined the possibility of linking the UK and Irish electricity grids. Further studies were conducted in the early 1990s and a joint study was recently conducted between Electricity Supply Board
Electricity Supply Board
The Electricity Supply Board , is a semi-state electricity company in Ireland. While historically a monopoly, the ESB now operates as a commercial semi-state concern in a liberalised and competitive market...
and National Grid plc
National Grid plc
National Grid plc is a multinational electricity and gas utility company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Its principal activities are in the United Kingdom and northeastern United States and it is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world.National Grid is listed on...
with the support of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
Technical features
The East–West Interconnector will have a total length of 261 km, of which 186 km is submarine cable and 75 km is subsoil cable. The link will connect converter stations at Rush North BeachRush, Dublin
Rush is a small seaside town, with a population of 8,280, situated between the communities of Skerries and Lusk in Fingal, Ireland. There has been a large population increase since the previous census in 2002, comprising mostly people from north Dublin....
, County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
, Ireland, and Barkby Beach in North Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. The interconnection will use ±200kV HVDC Light cables with a capacity of 500 MW. It is the first HVDC Light transmission system project, which uses ±200 kV cables. The cables and converter stations are provided by ABB.
Construction of the East West Interconnector commenced in 2010 and it is expected to be operational in 2012. It will cost €600 million. The project will be financed by a €300 million loan from the European Investment Bank
European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank is the European Union's long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. A policy-driven bank, the EIB supports the EU’s priority objectives, especially European integration and the development of economically weak regions...
, capital investments from commercial banks, EirGrid equity and a €110 million grant from the European Commission.
Imera project
A competing project was undertaken by Imera PowerImera Power
Imera Power is an Irish Company and is a privately held company that pursues and develops international opportunities in the private power and gas markets. The company and its management team have extensive, successful experience permitting, designing, constructing and operating safe and innovative...
. The Imera's cable with a capacity of 350 MW was to be connected at Arklow
Arklow
Arklow , also known as Inbhear Dé from the Avonmore river's older name Abhainn Dé, is a historic town located in County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. Founded by the Vikings in the ninth century, Arklow was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the 1798 rebellion...
substation in County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
and Pentir Substation in North Wales. The second cable by Imera Power with a capacity of 350–500 MW was proposed between Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
and Pembroke
Pembroke, Pembrokeshire
Pembroke is an historic settlement and former county town of Pembrokeshire in west Wales. The town and the county derive their name from that of the cantref of Penfro: Pen = "head" or "end", and bro = "region", "country", "land", and so it means essentially "Land's End".-History:The main point of...
. Both developments were to be funded by the private sector on commercial basis; their costs would not be recovered by system tariffs for all end users in either UK or Ireland, but rather by the users of the cable, large wholesale energy traders. Corresponding exemption from the third party access rule was granted by the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
on 23 November 2009.
Sites
| Site | Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Shotton Static Inverter Plant | 53°13′38"N 3°4′22"W |
| Cable enters sea | 53°20′41"N 3°24′8"W |
| Cable leaves sea | 53°31′29"N 6°4′56"W |
| Woodland HVDC Static Inverter | 53°28′28"N 6°34′8"W |
External links
- East–West Interconnector (EirGrid)
- Imara Power East–West Interconnector
- Way of the cable
- http://www.abb.com/industries/ap/db0003db004333/a60fb5e59414e817c125774a002f365b.aspx