EirGrid shares progress on Celtic Interconnector linking Ireland and France
EirGrid has released aerial photographs showing the scale of progress on the large converter station, which is being built by Siemens Energy at Ballyadam, outside Carrigtwohill in East Cork.
EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, has released new images showing progress on the landmark Celtic Interconnector project , which will allow the exchange of electricity between Ireland and France.
Some 15 months into the construction of the 500km subsea link, the company has released aerial photographs showing the scale of progress on the large converter station, which is being built by Siemens Energy at Ballyadam, outside Carrigtwohill in East Cork.
The vast complex, located on an 11-acre IDA-owned site, will convert the electricity that comes ashore from France in East Cork from high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology — which is used to transfer electricity over long distances — to high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) for transfer onwards to a substation in Knockraha for integration into the Irish grid.
The Ballyadam complex will also allow the conversion of HVAC electricity generated in Ireland into HVDC for transfer back to France, where a converter station in Brittany will switch it back to HVAC for use in French homes and businesses.
Almost all of the HVAC cable has been installed in Cork, with road reinstatement continuing across the route in collaboration with Cork County Council.
Trenching and ducting works are also advancing well along the HVDC route, from the coastal landfall site at Youghal to Ballyadam, with an estimated 75% of the work now complete.
Meanwhile, work at the subsea cable landfall point at Claycastle Beach in Youghal will pave the way for the commencement of offshore marine cable installation later this year.
Once complete, the Celtic Interconnector will allow the exchange of up to 700MW of electricity between the two countries, which is enough to power 450,000 homes.
Michael Mahon, EirGrid’s chief infrastructure officer, credited the successful advancement of the project to strong collaboration.
“This critical energy project remains on course and that is thanks to the collaboration between teams in both Ireland, and with our colleagues, Réseau de Transport d’Électricité, in France. This progress is a reflection of their dedication and expertise,” he said.
“We are also grateful for the continued support of local communities in east Cork, whose input and cooperation have been invaluable in helping us achieve these milestones.
“And in acknowledgement of that, EirGrid’s community benefit fund has been established, with the second phase now open for applications.”
It is estimated that construction will be complete in 2026, and once fully operational, the Celtic Interconnector project will enhance energy security , facilitate renewable energy integration , and serve as Ireland’s only direct energy connection to an EU member state.
