Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
308. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the Celtic Interconnector; the timeline for completion; the planned routes through international and territorial waters; and funding allocated by the Irish and French Governments for completion. [37296/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Celtic Interconnector is a major infrastructure initiative that will connect the electricity systems of Ireland and France, developed jointly by Eirgrid and its French equivalent, Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTÉ). It will enhance energy diversification, security of supply and market integration between Ireland and continental Europe. EirGrid has responsibility for the delivery of this project in collaboration with RTÉ.
Construction began in December 2023, with strong progress made on converter stations and cable installations. I am advised that terrestrial works including the completion of the converter station are scheduled for end 2026, while marine cable installation began in 2025 with a second campaign already underway in 2026.
However, the project does face challenges such as complex marine conditions, including weather delays and difficult seabed terrain. As a result, the timeline has been revised, with commissioning now expected at the end of 2028.
The subsea route goes from East Cork, passing about 30 km west of the Isles of Scilly and 75 km west of the UK mainland before reaching North Brittany. The route is set out by Eirgrid online here: www.cms.eirgrid.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Celtic-Interconnector-Map-UK.pdf
The Cross Border Cost Allocation Decision conducted by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and their French counterparts Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie (CRÉ) determined a cost allocation of 65% to Ireland and 35% to France. Any costs above the project’s estimated investment costs should be split equally (i.e. 50% each) between EirGrid and RTÉ.
EirGrid and RTÉ are separately responsible for funding their respective portions of the project and I can only comment on the Irish aspects.
The Celtic Interconnector is not in receipt of Exchequer funding. The CRU established a fully regulated cost recovery model for the project.
EirGrid secured financing for the Irish element of the project with costs to be recovered through the operational revenues generated by the Interconnector. Eirgird is also permitted to recover the costs of servicing its debt during the construction phase.
The CRU considers the interests of final customers to be met by allowing only efficient costs to be recovered and providing sufficient protections for customers while allowing EirGrid to finance and progress the project. EirGrid’s efficiently incurred expenditure will be determined by the CRU at the Post Construction Review.
Further specifics on the regulatory arrangements are available on the CRU website.
The Celtic Interconnector achieved Project of Common Interest Status and was successful in securing more than €530 million in capital funding from the Connecting Europe Facility significantly mitigating financing requirements.
Eirgrid are happy to provide detail more directly to Deputies at any time upon request and in this regard can be contacted at oireachtas@eirgrid.com. Eirgrid also issue a quarterly newsletter on progress and these can be found at: www.eirgrid.ie/celticinterconnector#project-updates
