EirGrid opens public consultation on major upcoming Dublin power grid upgrade

EirGrid, the developer and operator of Ireland’s electricity grid, has today launched a public consultation for a major programme to install over 50km of underground cables across Dublin city.

Dublin’s electricity infrastructure is ageing and reaching the end of its life, with some cables installed up to 50 years ago. The Powering Up Dublin programme aims to transform and modernise the city’s electricity infrastructure so that Dublin can continue to develop and thrive.

The programme will strengthen important electricity infrastructure in Dublin and the surrounding areas, enabling the city to bring on board more electricity generated from renewable sources into the future.

The five new underground cable routes to be installed as part of the programme will provide upgraded links between key electricity substations around Dublin.

The new routes will link substations at North Wall and Poolbeg, Finglas and North Wall, Carrickmines and Poolbeg, and two cables will link the Inchicore and Poolbeg substations.

The programme will further involve the construction of a new substation in Poolbeg, alongside the upgrading of substations elsewhere. Work on the Powering Up Dublin programme is scheduled to begin next year.

The eight-week consultation launched today and lasting until Tuesday 23rd May will give the public, communities and businesses across Dublin the opportunity to share their views on the 12 route options identified for the cables, to help minimise disruption caused during works.

The consultation process will see a series of public information events taking place around the city, along with online webinars and drop-in clinics in different areas.

Commenting on the consultation launch, Sinéad Dooley, Head of Public Engagement with EirGrid said:

"The Powering Up Dublin programme will help deliver a consistent and reliable supply of electricity for Dublin. Work must be done now to ensure the city’s electricity infrastructure is fit for purpose, resilient and will endure long into the future.

"In addition, as we work towards a low carbon future that will see up to 80% of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2030 it is crucial that Dublin’s energy infrastructure has the capacity to bring huge amounts more electricity from new offshore windfarms planned for the east coast to meet the growing demands in the city, as greener technologies such as electric-powered vehicles, public transport and home heating options become more common.

"We want to work with the public and listen to local voices who know their areas best, so that we can collaborate as much as possible and minimise the disruption caused to them."

People can contribute to the consultation process by emailing their submissions to Dublin@EirGrid.ie, visiting the online consultation portal at Consult.EirGrid.ie, or by attending EirGrid public information events and drop-in clinics around the city over the coming months.