Please find an update below on the latest development of the Kildare Meath Grid Development Project (Capital project 966):

Following ongoing engagement, technical assessments and the outcome of our recent public consultation, we have identified Option A: The Red Option as the emerging best performing option for this high-capacity underground electricity connection between Dunstown substation in Co. Kildare and Woodland substation in Co. Meath.

We will now bring this option to the next step of the project, while continuing to engage with landowners, community and statutory stakeholders, and expect to confirm a best performing route in June 2022.

Before the end of the month we will begin holding information days in towns across this route. These open days will enable our stakeholders to engage with our project team, on any questions or queries that may exist around this project. Exact details of these information days will be announced via local press and on EirGrid social media channels in the coming weeks.

Please see below the press release issued today relating to this announcement.

To read our Consultation Update Brochure and explore Option A: The Red Option further, please visit our website at www.eirgrid.ie/KildareMeath

If you have any questions or queries relating to this project update, please don’t hesitate to contact us at this email or contact your local Community Liaison Officer, Eoghan O’Sullivan, on 087 247 7732.

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EirGrid identify emerging best performing route option for Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade

March 8 – EirGrid, the operator of the national electricity grid has today (Tuesday) announced the emerging best performing route option for the Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade.

The Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade is a high-capacity underground cable connecting Dunstown substation near Two Mile House in Kildare and Woodland substation near Batterstown in Meath.

The EirGrid team evaluated four possible routes and carried out a range of assessments to determine advantages and disadvantages of each route.

Following an extensive 12-week consultation across Kildare and Meath, building on previous engagement, during which EirGrid listened and engaged with communities, stakeholders, businesses and landowners on the four proposed routes, Option A (the Red Option) has been identified as the emerging best performing route option.

The route is the most westerly of the shortlisted cable route options and is approximately 51km in length, with an estimated off-road section of six kilometres.

It will require the crossing of waterways, railway lines, and motorways including the M7 and M4, where potential off-road sections are still under consideration, and EirGrid agricultural liaison officers will be engaging directly with landowners in this regard.

Speaking about the emerging route option, EirGrid’s Chief Infrastructure Officer, Michael Mahon said, “We have identified this option after extensive engagement with the public, stakeholders and communities. We will be carrying out further analysis, including technical and environmental considerations and will continue to work with and listen to the public in order to establish a final route. In the coming months our team will be on hand to answer any questions people may have about the project and final route selection. I want to thank all those who have proactively engaged with us to date.”

The Kildare Meath Grid Upgrade will help to more effectively transfer power to the east of the country and distribute it within the electricity network in Meath, Kildare and surrounding counties. It will also help to facilitate the integration of renewable energy on the grid by strengthening the network and help meet the growing demand for electricity in the east.

For more information about the emerging best performing route option, visit www.eirgrid.ie/KildareMeath.

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