Planning chiefs today gave the go-ahead to a major new electricity link between Ireland and Wales.
Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan said the vital two-way link would bolster electricity supply and speed up the development of renewable energy.
“It will mean we can import electricity when required from the UK market,” he said.
“More importantly, it will mean we can export our electricity to the UK. When the wind is blowing in Ireland, we can sell this power to our neighbours,” he added.
The 260km underwater cable will reach land in Rush, north Co Dublin and Barkby beach in North Wales bringing power to 300,000 homes.
It could also help drive down household bills by increasing competition in the electricity sector, Mr Ryan added.
The 500 megawatt East-West Interconnector was approved by An Bord Pleanala, granting Irish energy firm EirGrid the green light for the 600 million euro project.
Around 100 jobs are set to be created when Swedish engineering firm ABB begins building the link next year, with construction expected to be completed by 2012.
An estimated 45km of underground cables will run along public roads to Rush from a converter station in Woodland, Co Meath.
The Welsh link will begin at Deeside and travel northwards up the coast to arrive at Barkby beach.
PA