East West Interconnector

The East West Interconnector project would be a 130 km HVDC submarine electricity interconnector connecting the UK and Irish electricity markets. The cable, according to one promoter, would have a capacity of 500 MW. The project is currently in the design and engineering stages and seeking planning permission, according to one company making a proposal. A decision on the project would rest with the Irish Government and the Irish Regulator.

Project history

Studies for the UK–Irish interconnector date back to the 1970s when the Irish Electricity Supply Board (ESB) 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 ESB and UK National Grid with the support of the European Union.

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.

Under a decision by the Irish Government, the transmission system operator, EirGrid, is developing a 500 megawatt east-west interconnector and has appointed marine consultants to progress the project, secured firm access to the British transmission system, and begun survey work. Connection points in Co Meath and Deeside in Wales are proposed.

The Irish Government in its Energy Policy has mandated EirGrid to build an interconnector between Ireland and Great Britain, scheduled for completion in 2012. The EirGrid East-West Interconnector will link the two power transmission systems in Britain and Ireland - enabling two-way transmission of high voltage electricity. The EirGrid East West Interconnector will consist of undersea cables across the Irish Sea connecting the transmission system in the Republic of Ireland to that in Great Britain. EirGrid has already secured a UK interconnector licence and grid connection points in Woodland, Co. Meath and Deeside, in North Wales.

EirGrid and its advisors are developing the ‘Invitation to Negotiate’ (ITN) tender documents for procurement of the interconnector, with CER oversight. The ITN is scheduled to be issued to short listed parties thiswhen December and the successful tenderer(s) appointed in 2008.

A separate project is also being undertaken by Imera Power and is currently under development. The Imera project will be connected at Arklow substation in Co. Wicklow and Pentir Substation in North Wales. Imera will utilise ABB'S next-generation HVDC Light technology and will have a capacity of 350 MW. Imera are seeking EU exemptions from regulation as the project is being developed on a merchant basis.

Swiss Swedish ABB have been awarded the contract to design and build the Imera Power East West Interconnector utilising ABB's latest technology HVDC Light. HVDC Light design is based on modular concept built up from standardised designs with compact transportable modules, which are factory assembled and pre-tested to provide short delivery. ABB's scope of work includes the design, project management, manufacture, works testing, shipment, installation, site testing and commissioning of the complete HVDC Light transmission link consisting of the converter stations, associated substation works at each end

The Imera Power East West Interconnector development is funded by the private sector and is a market-based solution; its costs will not be recovered by increasing use of system tariffs for all end users in either UK or Ireland, but rather by the users of the cable, large wholesale energy traders.

Competition benefits

The additional capacity headroom provided by the interconnector will assist in reducing ESB’s dominant position, which in turn will make the Irish market more attractive for new market entrants to invest; by joining the two markets it will allow Irish suppliers to access power in the UK and for UK based suppliers to enter to Irish market with out initially having to commit to large capital expenditure, significantly reducing barriers to entry. Irish renewable generators will benefit from the interconnector as it will increase their available market and may make it more economically attractive to construct more large scale renewable generation.

Energy security of supply

ESB Power Generation has advised of its intention to withdraw approximately 1300 MW of capacity over the next five years. This will effectively reduce the installed capacity of fully dispatchable plant from 6437 MW to 5150 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 energy supply.

The East West interconnectors will greatly enhance security of supply and grid stability on both sides of the Irish Sea and create conditions suitable for the development of a new regional market. EirGrid has already secured a UK interconnector licence and grid connection points in Woodland, Co. Meath and Deeside, in North Wales and the interconnector is due for completion 2012.

Interconnection between grids can provide extra sources of generation and assist competition. The EU is seeking to build more interconnectors to create a single integrated electricity market and to increase cross-border electricity exchange. Interconnectors also enhance local industry's competitiveness and benefit the consumer by increasing competition and driving down electricity prices.

Electricity demand in Ireland is growing at a faster rate than in other EU countries. A 2003 report from EirGrid, the national grid operator, found that Ireland's power stations were operating then at 78% of their overall potential the lowest level in a decade. Latest figures for the operation of Irish power stations are available at the EirGrid website.

EirGrid has published the latest Generation Adequacy Report which looks at electricity supply/demand balance over the next seven years (2008-2014). Electricity demand growth forecast is to average between 2.7% and 3.6% over the next seven years. Demand for electricity in Ireland ranges from approxiimately 3,000 MW (megawattts)in summer to approximately 5,000 MW in Winter. At present there is almost 6,500 MW of dispatchable generation plant connected to the system in the Republic of Ireland, in addition to 801 MW of wind generators.

External links

*http://www.eirgrid.com

*http://www.interconnector.ie

* http://www.eastwestinterconnector.ie