Proposed power line could attract investment locally

Plans to improve the infrastructure for the provision of electricity in Mullingar would set the area up for prime target for investment when the economic downturn ends, the country’s electricity transmission operator has stated.Eirgrid has revealed that it plans to add another line between its Mullingar substation and another unconfirmed substation - either in Kinnegad or Derryiron, outside Rhode, Co. Offaly - by the middle of the decade, at an estimated cost of €20-30 million.Researchers tied to Eirgrid have identified a number of potential routes, which went on display at a public consultation at the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar on Tuesday of last week.Three potential routes identifiedAlthough an emerging preferred route won’t be known until after the end of public consultation on November 23, Eirgrid have identified three potential routes for the power lines, all of them issuing from the Kinnegad substation at Killaskillen, and then on to Mullingar via lands in the greater east Mullingar area which, Eirgrid has concluded, would not be injurious to any high amenity or residential areas.Given the Kinnegad substation’s closer proximity to Mullingar than that of the Derryiron hub, the route between Kinnegad and Mullingar would be Eirgrid’s popular choice, also due to its proximity to existing transport and rail infrastructure.Planning permission for the development is expected to be sought next year. The lines, Eirgrid have confirmed, would be carried by 20-30 metre high wooden poles, and no pylons will be involved.An Eirgrid spokesperson said that as Mullingar is currently serviced by just two overhead power lines, the need for a third power circuit emerged given the huge growth and development in the greater Mullingar area since rural electrification was completed in the 1960s.Existing line is near technical limitThe existing 110kV line is approaching its technical limit, and as a result of this, Eirgrid has identified “a gradual decline in network performance and quality of supply”; without a third circuit, the agency has warned of “a risk to supply in the region”.“The addition of a third circuit would leave Mullingar ideally placed for attracting investment, alongside the huge transport and sewerage infrastructure already in place,” the spokesperson said.“One of the main reasons which companies like Intel set up where they did in Ireland was that the availability of the right infrastructure to meet their power needs.”Further details about the project may be gleaned by logging on to www.eirgrid.com/transmission/mullingarreinforcement, while submissions can be made by members of the public by phoning Eirgrid on 01-702 6642.