Anglo-Irish energy link opened

Ireland's first electricity link to the UK was officially opened on Thursday 20 September. The EirGrid East West Interconnector runs between Deeside in North Wales and County Meath in Ireland. Approximately 260km in length, the underground and undersea link has the capacity to transport 500MW in either direction. Energy and climate change secretary Ed Davey said the project was "not just an impressive feat of engineering", but would bring "major" benefits to the UK and Irish economies. The connection would improve mutual energy security and competition, and would allow more of Ireland's "abundant" wind energy access to the "massive" UK customer base. Trading on the Interconnector will commence on 1 October.
DECC