Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
72. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to clarify the reasons for the delayed commissioning date of the Celtic Interconnector, which is now expected for Q4 2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32054/26]
View answer73. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if steps are being taken to bring forward the commissioning date of the Celtic Interconnector, which has been moved to Q4 2028, in order to apply downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32055/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
The Celtic Interconnector is a major strategic infrastructure project that will create an electrical interconnection between Ireland and France. It is a 700 MW subsea and underground interconnector running electricity over 575km of cabling, 500km submerged, with the capacity to power 450,000 homes.
The project is being jointly developed by EirGrid and its French equivalent, Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE), and will be the first interconnector between Ireland and continental Europe. Once complete it will significantly improve Ireland's energy diversification and market integration.
As Minister, I have no direct role in respect of the delivery of the project, however, my officials remain in close contact with Eirgrid on progress and I am advised as follows.
• Since construction commenced in November 2023, strong progress has been achieved on both converter station sites and onshore cable installations. Terrestrial works in Ireland are expected to be completed in 2026.
• Marine cable installation began in 2025, with a second installation campaign already underway.
• This project is both significant and complex, operating within a challenging maritime environment heavily influenced by weather conditions. The Celtic Interconnector project includes complex marine works that involve the manufacture and burial of bespoke marine cables and is the most critical part of the overall programme, given the length of the route.
• Due to the complexities of marine works on a project of this scale, the projects cable contractors provided a revised work schedule which reflects slower-than-expected progress during the 2025 campaign.
• Cable protection operations and more challenging than anticipated sea-bed conditions were given as the main reason for the slow progress. Due to this, Eirgrid has advised that the Celtic Interconnector will be commissioned by the end of 2028.
I am further advised that EirGrid and RTE are reviewing timelines on a continuous basis and continue to engage with their contractors on investigating further mitigations to improve the timeline. Eirgrid are best placed to provide additional substantive detail, but I have been advised that implemented mitigations include the use of an additional trencher in 2026 and optimisation of submarine cable manufacturing lengths for 2027 operations.
