Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
289. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the proposed interconnector with Spain to import large-scale solar energy; the preliminary cost-benefit analysis, expected delivery timeline and projected impact on Ireland’s decarbonisation and energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71210/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreparatory work for the National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection 2023 identified a potentially mutually beneficial synergy between Irish wind and Spanish solar generation that warranted further exploration.
Ireland is working towards a Memorandum of Understanding with Spain to advance cooperation on a potential interconnector. Initial conversations took place at Ministerial level during the Energy Council in Luxembourg in October, and officials from my Department are now following up with their counterparts in Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition. There has also been preliminary technical engagement between EirGrid and Spain’s TSO, Red Eléctrica. A significant level of additional work would be required to consider the anticipated mutual benefits and to consider the financing options in respect of this interconnector, including assessment in the European Ten Year Network Development Plan.
The policy document and supporting analysis, including details of potential benefits of an interconnection with Spain, are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/national-policy-statement-on-electricity-interconnection-2023/
