Greenlink is an electricity interconnector linking the power markets in Ireland and Great Britain. The project has a nominal capacity of 500MW and comprises a subsea and underground cable and associated converter stations to connect EirGrid’s Great Island transmission substation in County Wexford (Ireland) and National Grid’s Pembroke transmission substation in Pembrokeshire (Wales). For more information about the project, please read the Project Overview here.

Interconnectors allow electricity to flow between different national transmission networks – from where it is generated to where it is needed - improving the security and reliability of our power supplies and supporting the integration of green, low carbon energy sources in an affordable way. Of particular importance is Greenlink’s ability to maximise the integration of green energy generated in both Ireland and Great Britain by exporting surplus electricity between the two countries. The climate crisis is a serious matter of concern for many people - and most governments, communities and businesses recognise the need to take action to reduce carbon emissions from our energy production and use. Interconnection has an important role to play in meeting renewable energy targets and supporting the decarbonisation of our economies, whilst at the same time bringing forward jobs and investment. Greenlink was named a ‘Project of Common Interest’, making it one of Europe’s priority energy infrastructure projects. It will have strategic importance by doubling the interconnection capacity between Ireland and Great Britain. Construction will bring regional investment and jobs in both countries and, once operational, Greenlink will create downward pressure on consumers’ electricity bills.

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Greenlink is privately financed by Partners Group. The project represents a significant amount of private capital investment in Ireland and Wales. The project has also been successful in sourcing some funding from the European Union Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

The project is currently under construction and is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2024.

The interconnector comprises two High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) electricity cables and a fibre optic cable stretching approximately 190km beneath the Irish Sea and underground connecting the two converter stations. HVDC is more efficient for the transportation of electricity over long distances, particularly subsea. The cables have lower electricity losses than comparable AC cables and negligible heating effects, and are therefore suitable for undergrounding both onshore and offshore. Accordingly, there will be no overground cables between the two converter stations. One of the other benefits of HVDC cables is the relatively small footprint required to install them underground onshore. HVDC technology has the added benefit of enabling two grids to be connected successfully despite not being synchronised. At the converter stations the Direct Current (DC) electricity in the HVDC cables is converted to Alternating Current (AC) so that it can connect to the substation and be used within the national transmission and distribution networks. A fibre optic cable provides communication between the converter stations for system monitoring, control and safety purposes.

In Wales, Greenlink will connect to the Pembroke 400kV substation in Pembrokeshire. In Ireland, it will connect to the Great Island 220kV substation in County Wexford. These were identified as the connection points following assessments and consultation with National Grid and EirGrid respectively. The cable landfalls are Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire and Baginbun Beach in County Wexford, selected after a review of potential sites in the regions. The preferred subsea cable route was identified following the conclusion of subsea surveys and consultation with stakeholders. Onshore, the underground cable routes and converter stations sites were identified following consultation and technical and environmental assessments. Maps of all of these can be found in the latest brochure here.

This route was considered but not deemed to be optimal following consultation with the Port of Waterford. The estuary plays an important role within the local economy and concerns were raised regarding potential sterilisation of the waterway due to interaction between the cables and ongoing dredging activities.

The cable landfalls are Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire and Baginbun Beach in County Wexford. The landfalls were selected after a review of potential sites in the regions. At both locations we will be using a Horizontal Directional Drilling technique to install the cable under the beach and dunes and thus avoid impacts on the local environment or beach users.

The interconnector cable will be under the sea or below ground for its entire length between the substation in Ireland and the substation in Wales. The marine cable is buried under the seabed (or laid on the seabed with a protective cover, where this isn’t possible) using purpose-built ships with cable laying tools. To minimise disruption to beach users and respect the sensitive environments at the landfalls, we are planning to install the cable using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). HDD is a widely used modern technique to install cables underground and avoid open trenching. Following extensive studies, a cable route is determined for the HDD and drilled. The resulting hollow is tubed with an inert pipe and the cables laid within. The cable is jointed behind the beach and dunes underground and will be buried all the way to each substation. This methodology will avoid any requirement for beach closures during installation. Onshore the cables will be laid in trenches with a depth of cover of at least 850mm deep. It is usual to increase the depth of cover in agricultural land to avoid impacts on agricultural practices. A specific design will need to be engineered for any utility crossings, watercourses and any other areas where the ordinary depth of cover cannot be achieved. The precise route and how much of the underground cabling will follow existing roads will differ in Wales and Ireland due to different circumstances (overall length, landownership, etc.) but the same fundamental routing principles have been applied in both jurisdictions.

At the National Grid Pembroke substation in Pembrokeshire and at EirGrid’s Great Island substation in County Wexford.

All the onshore cables will be buried underground and the offshore cables will be buried in the seabed or, where this is not possible, laid on the seabed with a protective cover.

All the cabling between the two converter stations will be underground and, once installation is complete, there will be no permanent visual impacts from the cables (for example, any necessary vegetation clearance will be temporary and will be restored). There will be no fencing or permanent structures on Freshwater West beach or Baginbun beach. Link boxes (small cabinets) could be located at strategic locations along the cable route. These will be small in number (circa one every 6km) and located within field boundaries to minimise any visual impact. The converter stations near Pembroke and Great Island substations will be visible. The converter station site footprint will be circa 1.85 hectares (185m x 100m). A converter station consists of various components. These include a converter hall, converter transformers, AC switchgear and busbars, harmonic filters (if required), lightning towers, ancillary plant such as cooling bank and stand-by back-up emergency generators, and a control building. Typically the tallest components are the lightning towers at circa 26 metres high and the converter hall, which will be approximately 17 metres high at its apex. We conducted a visual impact assessment and produced visualisations from viewpoints agreed with Pembrokeshire County Council and Wexford County Council. The visual impact of the converter stations was carefully considered and suitable mitigation, such as landscaping and building finishes, incorporated.

All the cabling will be buried under the ground or under the seabed (or laid on top of the seabed with protection where this isn’t possible). The electricity cables are in protective armoured casing and on land they will be buried to a depth of at least 850mm with a protective cover and warning tape. Marker posts will be installed at regular intervals at ground level. The HVDC cables we are using emit lower levels of electromagnetic fields (EMF) than HVAC cables and both technologies adhere to World Health Organisation guidelines. Greenlink has engaged expert consultants and has committed to undertake EMF assessments to provide further confidence where required. The lowest limit for static magnetic fields referenced by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) is 500 microtesla to protect wearers of implantable electronic medical devices. From a human health point of view the EU recommends a limit of 40 milli tesla (40,000 microtesla). (EMF Recommendation 1999/519/EC). The maximum level from the proposed cable will be experienced directly above the cable. Under full load conditions the DC magnetic field will be 17 microtesla. To put this into context the earth’s magnetic field, which is exactly the same type of field, is approximately 47 microtesla in Ireland. As such, the magnetic field produced by the cable will be lower than the existing background level. At 5m from the cable the level will have reduced to 2.5 microtesla. In effect, this level will be very low with respect to the earth’s magnetic field. This is 160 times below the 500 microtesla guideline limit. As such, the emissions from the cable comply with the ICNIRP and EU recommended limits by a wide margin.

The cable configuration for HVAC is different (three cables instead of two), so no. The cables also run between AC/DC converter stations and therefore are required to be HVDC.

Our environmental and technical surveys include an assessment of noise and vibration. Most of the noise and vibration impact will be during construction of the converter station and the burial of the cable and will therefore be temporary and at isolated locations. However, we will work to ensure that this is kept to a minimum. There will be noise from the electrical and mechanical plant during operation of the converter station, but this will mostly be located indoors in the converter hall and at lower levels than the neighbouring power stations and substations in both Ireland and Wales.

The Greenlink interconnector will have minimal impact on the local wildlife and natural environment. We have worked closely with independent experts on a range of environmental and technical surveys, the results of which have helped us to design the project sensitively and minimise impacts. We voluntarily conducted a full Environmental Impact Assessment, which allowed detailed scrutiny from stakeholders. Our surveys and assessments were verified by Natural Resources Wales (Wales) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland), for example. For more information on the studies and assessments carried out in Ireland and Wales, please click here

We fully appreciate the beauty of both Freshwater West beach and Baginbun beaches and their value to local residents, visitors and wildlife. We recognise that some might have concerns about potential damage during construction. It is for this reason that we have consulted with independent experts and stakeholders, including Natural Resources Wales and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to design the project sensitively and we have conducted a range of environmental and technical surveys. To minimise environmental impacts, it is currently proposed that the cables between the landfalls and the sea will be installed by drilling underneath the beaches (known as Horizontal Direct Drilling or HDD). Regarding potential disruption to beach users, the installation of cables is likely to last no more than 3 months with a temporary compound located on the fields behind the beach and there will be no access restriction to the beaches or dunes during this process. Work will be scheduled to take place outside of the peak summer period. Once this is complete, the cabling will be invisible and there will be no fencing or any other permanent structures restricting access.

We assessed the potential effects of Greenlink on designated and non-designated local archaeology and cultural heritage assets. To mitigate any potential impacts, we considered the predicted impacts of the proposed scheme and aimed to avoid adverse effects. Wherever possible, mitigation was designed to deliver benefits, such as maintaining the visual setting of historic assets. We aimed to avoid undisturbed archaeological remains and preserve them in situ. Where this is not possible, preservation by record will be proposed as mitigation.

We will work hard to limit the impact of traffic and transport on local residents and businesses as much as possible during construction. The project is expected to temporarily give rise to additional traffic on the local road network. Installation of the cables may require partial or full road closures and road users may have to use alternative routes. We continue to consult closely with Wexford County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council to minimise these impacts, including through Traffic Assessments and the production of Traffic Management Plans. We will comply with the requirements of Wexford County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council with regard to reinstatement of the roads.

The installation will follow best practice and ensure that the resultant road surface is of the standard required by the Highways Authority.

During the development of the project, we have consulted widely with a range of statutory consultees, NGOs and government bodies. In Wales these have included (but not been limited to): Pembrokeshire County Council Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Natural Resources Wales Milford Haven Port Authority Local councils Castlemartin Firing Range In Ireland these have included (but not been limited to): An Bord Pleanála, Wexford County Council, Commission for Regulation of Utilities Government departments The National Parks and Wildlife Service

In Wales, planning applications were submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for the onshore components of the project in early 2020 and were unanimously consented by both authorities in July 2020. In Ireland, a planning application was submitted to An Bord Pleanála for the onshore components of the project in December 2020 and has now been approved. The marine applications were submitted to Natural Resources Wales and to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Foreshore Unit) in Ireland in Autumn 2019 and have now been approved. NRW approved the application in Wales in March 2021. For more information and documents pertaining to planning, please click here.

Greenlink will provide additional network capacity, reinforcing the electricity grids in Ireland and southernWales and make a positive contribution to the regional security of electricity supply. During construction there is the potential to support around 250 direct jobs on each side and create further knock-on economic benefits in each region. During construction there will be around 250 direct jobs on each side and furtherknock-on economic benefits in each region. Once the project is operational there are expected to be up to 5 permanent jobs in Pembrokeshire and up to 20 in Ireland, with many of these in the Great Island area of Co.Wexford. We are committed to maximising the use of locally based contractors and personnel during the construction and operational phases of the projects. The significant amount of work due to take place at the landfall,cable and converter station sites will require skills and experience available from contractors in the area. If you are a local business interested in the project, please visit our Suppliers & Procurement page for more details of goods and services that might be required and how to make contact. Where the design and route of the project offers opportunities to the local community, we will explore those (see question on community benefit below). Please view our Project Benefits page for more information.

Since May 2108, our consultation process has included a number of public exhibitions (you can see the full list of events here) and meetings with statutory authorities, community representatives and local organisations in Pembrokeshire and Co. Wexford. Since May 2018, we have undertaken a full and detailed consultation process including meetings with statutory authorities, community representatives and local organisations in Pembrokeshire and Co.Wexford and four rounds of public exhibitions as follows: Pembrokeshire: May 2018: Pembroke Dock, Hundleton and Angle December 2018: Pembroke Dock, Hundleton and Angle June 2019: Pembroke, Angle, Pembroke Dock and Hundleton December 2019: Hundleton, Angle, Pembroke Dock and Pembroke Co. Wexford: June 2018: Fethard on Sea and New Ross August 2018: Duncannon January 2019: Fethard on Sea, New Ross and Duncannon March 2019: Ramsgrange December 2019: Ramsgrange, Duncannon and Fethard on Sea Full details of the exhibitions and public information materials can be found here. Our local engagement will continue as we enter the construction phase of the project. We welcome comments and enquiries from local people. This can be done anonymously if desired - please go to our Contact Us page where you can raise an issue of concern or make a comment with or without leaving your details. You can also email or call our local community liaison representatives in Wales and Ireland directly - their details are also on the Contact Us page. All the latest information on the project, including a regularly-updated downloadable brochure and exhibition boards, is available on our website - please view our pages here. For future events, please check our events page here. We encourage local businesses and suppliers to get in touch to discuss the opportunities to be involved in the project. See the Suppliers and Procurement page here.

Consultation had a direct impact on the delivery of subsea surveys undertaken as part of the development work. Existing fishing areas were identified, and relevant fishing interests were kept informed of planned survey work to minimise impacts. The same coordination is taking place during construction. We have a dedicated Fisheries Liaison Officer, Nigel Proctor, who can be contacted at: n.proctor@precisionmarine.co.uk or +44 7702 730891.

Where the design and route of the project offers opportunities to the local community, we have looked at local infrastructure improvements. For example, working closely with Wexford County Council and other local community groups, it has been agreed to provide parking at Baginbun Beach and street lights and footpaths in the village of Ramsgrange, both of which are located near the cable route. We have also looked at other local initiatives we can support - see our community newsletters for more details. The bulk of the local economic benefit, however, will come from capturing the local supply chain benefits during the construction of the project. Construction is expected to lead to significant expenditure in both Wales and Ireland and a significant amount of work will take place at the landfall, cable and converter station sites, requiring skills and experience available from contractors found in the local area. We and our EPC contractors will be looking to maximise the use of locally based contractors and personnel and this will also lead to knock-on economic benefits in the area (for shops, B&B providers etc). We held meet-the-buyer events in Wexford and Pembrokeshire in 2021 to discuss opportunities and more details can be found on our Suppliers & Procurement page

We are not providing an annual community fund of the type typically provided at renewable energy projects because Greenlink is not an energy generating project. However, we have identified how the construction can bring economic benefits to the area and infrastructure improvements that benefit the local community (see above) and remain open to people's views.