Celtic Interconnector Connecting Ireland to Continental Europe - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Connecting Ireland to Continental Europe

Presentation to Engineers Cork, 13/11/2018 Eoghan Tuite, CEng

Celtic Interconnector

Who are EirGrid?

• EirGrid is the Transmission System

Operator (TSO) and is responsible for ensuring a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity, across the island

• f Ireland – now and in the future.
• We develop, manage and operate the

electricity transmission grid.

• We are mandated to explore and

develop opportunities to interconnect the Irish transmission system with

• ther systems.
• EirGrid developed the East West

Interconnector.

East West Moyle

Celtic

Celtic Interconnector Project

Project Elements

Project Partner

Project Benefits

Competition

WHOLESALE BASELOAD ELECTRICTY PRICES Second Quarter of 2018

Facilitates increased electricity trading & downward pressure

• n cost of electricity.

Security of Supply

Additional supply of power and increased diversification

• f fuel sources.

Sustainable Energy

Facilitates transition to low carbon future.

Telecoms

Strategic

• pportunity to

provide a direct fibre link to Europe

Source: Telegeography, Analysys Mason

Image: E-Highway2050

European Context

Funding

• Proposal made to both National

Regulatory Authorities (CRU & CRÉ) on cost split between EirGrid and RTE.

• Connecting Europe Facility:

– EU funding instrument for targeted infrastructure investment. – Celtic has received grant of €3.6m and allocated further €4m to date. – Budget of €4.7bn for grants for energy projects up to 2020.

Strategic Imperative

• Allows Ireland directly contribute

to, and be part of, Energy Union.

• Reduces Ireland’s electrical

isolation (below EC’s targets and thresholds for Interconnection).

– Average yearly price difference > €2/MWh. – Interconnection capacity is < 30% of peak load. – Interconnection capacity is < 30% of installed renewable generation.

Green: meets all three thresholds Yellow: meets two of the thresholds Red: meets one or none of the thresholds

Project Roadmap

2011 - 2014 Contract Award Manufacturing Energisation Preliminary Feasibility Construction Benefits Technology Costs Timetable EirGrid / RTE Project Work Streams Phase Description 2021 – 2025/26 Marine survey Project Parameters Economic & Financial Analysis 2014 - 2016 Feasibility Initial Design Pre-Consultation Investment Request Grant Application 2016 - 2019 Initial Design & Pre-Consultation Detailed Design EPC Procurement Consenting 2019 – 2021 Detailed Design & Consents Key Milestones

• Apr 2019 –

Regulator’s Investment Request Decision

• ~ Apr 2019 –

Make Grant Application to EC

• ~ Aug 2019 –

EC Grant Decision

• Early 2020 –

Launch EPC Tender

• Mid 2020 –

Submit Consents Applications

• End 2021 – Final

Investment Decision

• 2026 – Go Live

EirGrid Framework for Grid Development Step 6 Step 1 Steps 2 - 4 Step 5

What have we learnt?

Connection Point:

• 220kV substations at Knockraha and Great Island identified as feasible

connections points based on level of connectivity in transmission grid and their geographical location along the south coast of Ireland

• Grid assessment shows connection point at Knockraha can accommodate

interconnector flows far better than Great Island

What have we learnt?

Land Studies:

• Concluded that there are feasible options in both East Cork and West

Wexford for the various onshore elements of interconnector.

• Specific landfall study concluded all 10 identified locations are feasible with

East Cork area performing better than West Wexford.

Social Impact Assessment:

• High level Social Baseline Report has

been prepared.

• It does not identify project as having a

greater social impact in either region.

• Report will be built on with input from

communities, landowners and other stakeholders.

What have we learnt?

What have we learnt?

Marine Route Investigation:

• Six trunk routes identified between East Cork / West Wexford and NW France.
• Best performing and least constrained route is Route 2 from East Cork.
• A full marine survey concluded this route was largely feasible with no major

constraints.

SSS Hydrophone Multibeam echo sounder Pinger SBP Sparker SBP Magnetometer

Marine Surveys

Grab Camera Vibrocorer CPT

Geophysical Surveys 2014 & 2017 Geotechnical Surveys 2015 & 2018

2014/15 Marine Surveys – Vessels in Cork

Rock identified in Irish Nearshore Rock identified in French Nearshore

2017/18 - Additional Marine Surveys

Step 2 Pre-Consultation

• Aligned project with the new Framework for

Grid Development.

• Developed detailed project update

brochure for Step 2 (2017).

• Outlined that the best performing option for

project is to connect to France via the East Cork area.

• Engaged in stakeholder outreach with

elected reps, municipal districts, local businesses, industry reps, community and environmental groups, fisheries groups.

• Carried out public consultation on 2017

marine survey foreshore licence.

Step 3 Pre-Consultation to date

• Confirmed East Cork as best performing

connection point at launch of Step 3 in February 2018.

• Developed detailed project update brochure for

Step 3 (2018) with infographic of project elements.

• Carried out public consultation on 2018 marine

survey foreshore licence.

• Held series of project open days and

community meetings at locations in East Cork.

Project Development

• Project is currently in Step 3 of Framework for Grid Development.
• Step 3 Objectives:

– Identification of a shortlist of converter station location zones. – Identification of best performing landfall options (narrow down current shortlist).

• Cork based Community Liaison Officer appointed to project.
• Timeline:

East Cork

Summary

Project is Feasible

• Various studies

and surveys complete

Benefits

• European

energy market integration

• Facilitates low

carbon future

• Improved

security of supply

• Direct telecoms

link to EU

Key Approval Steps

• Investment

Request

• Grant

Application

Project Development

• Project

progressing on all fronts

• Consultation

and engagement

• ngoing

Thank You

celticinterconnector@eirgrid.com