DOCSLIB.ORG

Additional Interconnection Between NI and ROI Tech Report.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Additional Interconnection Between NI and ROI Tech Report.Pdf ADDITIONAL INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TECHNICAL REPORT - PART 1 – STUDIES APRIL 2001 TO JULY 2004 Study References:- TREN/2000/5.7100/Z/00-007 TREN/2000/5.7100/Z/00-008 NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTRICITY AND ESB NATIONAL GRID MAY 2005 Final TR Part1 (Apr01-Jul04) Prepared by Cormac Mc Carthy ESB National Grid Bronagh Lunney Northern Ireland Electricity Reviewed by Paul Smith ESB National Grid Leslie Bryans Northern Ireland Electricity Final TR Part1 (Apr01-Jul04) NIE / ESB Joint studies Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................1 1 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................3 2 IDENTIFICATION OF INTERCONNECTION OPTIONS FOR STUDY ............................6 2.1 INTERCONNECTION DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS........................................................................6 3 SYSTEM SEPARATION...........................................................................................................11 3.1 RELIABILITY AND RESTORATION OF EXISTING 275KV INTERCONNECTION........................................12 3.2 GENERATOR PERFORMANCE ..............................................................................................................12 3.3 SIMULATION OF SYSTEM SEPARATION ...............................................................................................14 3.4 SYSTEM SEPARATION LIMIT...............................................................................................................19 3.5 SYSTEM SEPARATION CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................25 4 LOADFLOW...............................................................................................................................26 4.1 EXISTING SYSTEM..............................................................................................................................26 4.2 POWER WHEELING .............................................................................................................................28 4.3 MVAR AND VOLTAGE .......................................................................................................................30 4.4 DATA AND METHODOLOGY................................................................................................................34 4.5 TRANSFER CAPACITY INCREASE ........................................................................................................43 4.5.1 2006/7 Result Summary ................................................................................................................44 4.5.2 Later Year.....................................................................................................................................49 4.6 DESCRIPTION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS........................................................................................54 4.6.1 Power out of Belfast......................................................................................................................55 4.6.2 Power out of Dublin......................................................................................................................61 4.6.3 Power to and from Derry..............................................................................................................63 4.6.4 Power to and from Tarbert...........................................................................................................66 5 MAINTENANCE........................................................................................................................70 6 FAULT LEVEL ..........................................................................................................................78 6.1.1 Study Method ................................................................................................................................78 6.1.2 Fault Level Results .......................................................................................................................79 6.1.3 Fault Level Conclusion.................................................................................................................79 7 WIND GENERATION...............................................................................................................84 7.1.1 Wind Variability ...........................................................................................................................84 7.1.2 Wind Generation near Border ......................................................................................................86 8 TRANSIENT STABILITY – CRITICAL CLEARANCE TIME ...........................................88 8.1.1 Single Circuit v. Double Circuit ...................................................................................................91 8.1.2 Interconnector Options.................................................................................................................91 8.1.3 2006/7 Winter Peak v 2006 Summer Peak....................................................................................94 8.1.4 2006 Summer Night Valley - Minimum.........................................................................................94 8.1.5 Fault at Tandragee 275kV v. Louth 220kV...................................................................................95 8.1.6 Conclusion....................................................................................................................................95 9 SMALL SIGNAL STABILITY .................................................................................................96 10 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION TECHNICAL STUDY APR 2001 TO JUL 2004..........97 APPENDIX 1 – 2006/7 WINTER RESULTS LOADFLOWS........................................................102 APPENDIX 2 – SMALL SIGNAL STABILITY .............................................................................111 Final TR Part1 (Apr01-Jul04) - Page 3 NIE / ESB Joint studies Executive Summary The main interconnection between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is the Louth Tandragee 275kV double circuit. There are also two 110kV interconnections; Letterkenny Strabane 110 and Corraclassy Enniskillen 110. The 110kV interconnectors on their own, in the absence of the 275kV double circuit, are not sufficiently strong to join the two systems. Therefore, at present, if the 275kV double circuit trips, a remedial action scheme is in place that also trips the 110kV interconnections. The European Commission through the TENs (Trans European Networks) funding programme is supportive of increased interconnection between member states. In 2001, funding was secured to investigate the possible benefits of increased interconnection between Northern Ireland and Ireland. A suite of technical studies were undertaken jointly by a team of engineers from ESBNG and NIE over the period April 2001 to July 2004. The presentation of the results from these studies is provided in this report. The purpose of the technical study work is to quantify the improvement in transmission capacity and system security that would be provided by each of the interconnection options. The major difficulty results from an unplanned outage of the existing 275kV interconnector tower line. This separates the two systems and can result in frequency stability issues. Technical studies compared the performance of a number of interconnector development options. These are • 110kV multi-circuit option • Western 275kV (assumed to be Coolkeeragh Srananagh 275kV for the purpose of these studies) • Mid Country 275kV (assumed to be Arva Tyrone 275kV for the purpose of these studies) • Eastern 275kV (i.e. third Louth Tandragee 275kV circuit) The studies found that the 110kV multi-circuit option does not provide a significant increase in transfer capability and is therefore not technically acceptable. The western option, Coolkeeragh Srananagh 275kV increases power transfer to Republic of Ireland, facilitates power transfer out of Coolkeeragh and helps support the 220kV network in the north west of the Republic of Ireland. However, the transfer capacity to Northern Ireland is poor compared with the other 275kV interconnector options. The third Louth Tandragee 275kV circuit would offer increased power transfer capability in both directions. This option is however considered unsuitable because there is a significant risk of loss of all three interconnectors and cannot therefore be considered further. This is Final TR Part1 - Page 1 NIE / ESB Joint studies because all main interconnections would terminate in both Louth and Tandragee and also the routes of the new and existing 275kV circuits would not be sufficiently separate. Louth Tandragee therefore cannot be considered to solve the system separation problem. The mid-country option offers increased transfer capability in both directions. It offers physical and geographical separation from the existing interconnection, thereby eliminating the risk of the system separation. Based on these technical studies, carried out between April 2001 and July 2004, the mid- country option is the preferred option. A decision on whether to progress an interconnector will depend on an economic analysis and on regulatory input. A final decision on which interconnector option to progress will depend on a pre-feasibility of the route corridor
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Moyle Publishes Interconnector Capacity Statement
    Moyle Interconnector Limited Interconnector Capacity Calculation September 2011 Executive Summary Moyle Interconnector Limited (“MIL”) owns and operates the submarine cables between converter stations at Ballycronan More in Islandmagee, County Antrim and Auchencrosh in Ayrshire that link the electricity transmission systems of Northern Ireland and Scotland. The cable and key components of the link have an engineering capacity of 500MW in each direction. However, limits applied for system security reasons by the Transmission System Operators (“TSOs”) at either end of the link mean that, at present, the full Moyle Interconnector engineering capacity cannot be made available to electricity traders for flows between the Betta and SEM markets. The current capacity available to interconnector users is shown in the following table.. Direction Month Capacity available to Capacity limit set by: interconnector users West to East May - August 287 MW NG/ GB System September - April 295 MW SONI/ NI System East to West April - October 410 MW SONI/ NI System November - March 450 MW NG/ GB System MIL, in conjunction with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), Scottish Power Transmission (SPT) 1, the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) and NIE, the Northern Ireland transmission network owner , has prepared this statement to outline how available capacity on both the GB National Electricity Transmission System (“the GB system”) and the Northern Ireland Electricity Transmission System (“the NI system”) is assessed for the physical transfer of power between Northern Ireland and Scotland using the Moyle Interconnector 2. This is a requirement of Article 15(2) of Regulation EC 714/2009 on conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity which states that “a general scheme for the calculation of total transfer capacity and the transmission reliability margin based on the electrical and physical features of the network” shall be published (subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities).
    [Show full text]
  • Transmission Development Plan Northern Ireland 2020-2029 Disclaimer
    Transmission Development Plan Northern Ireland 2020-2029 Disclaimer While all reasonable care has been taken to prepare this document, we can make no guarantee to the quality, accuracy and completeness of the information herein. We do not accept responsibility for any loss associated with the use of this information. Use of this document and the information it contains is at the user’s own risk. Information in this document does not amount to a recommendation as regards to any possible investment. Before taking a business decision based on the content of this document, we advise that interested parties seek separate and independent opinion in relation to the matters covered by this document. Copyright Notice All rights reserved. This entire publication is subject to the laws of copyright. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or manual, including photocopying without the prior written permission of SONI Ltd. Table of Contents Document Structure ...................................................................................................................1 Abbreviations and Glossary of Terms ..........................................................................................2 Abbreviations ..........................................................................................................................2 Glossary of Terms .....................................................................................................................4 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................7
    [Show full text]
  • DRAFT Transmission Development Plan Northern Ireland 2020-2029
    Appendix 2 DRAFT Transmission Development Plan Northern Ireland 2020-2029 Disclaimer While all reasonable care has been taken to prepare this document, we can make no guarantee to the quality, accuracy and completeness of the information herein. We do not accept responsibility for any loss associated with the use of this information. Use of this document and the information it contains is at the user’s own risk. Information in this document does not amount to a recommendation as regards to any possible investment. Before taking a business decision based on the content of this document, we advise that interested parties seek separate and independent opinion in relation to the matters covered by this document. Copyright Notice All rights reserved. This entire publication is subject to the laws of copyright. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or manual, including photocopying without the prior written permission of SONI Ltd. Table of Contents DOCUMENT STRUCTURE ..................................................................................... 7 ABBREVIATIONS and GLOSSARY OF TERMS .......................................................... 9 Abbreviations ................................................................................................... 9 Glossary of Terms ........................................................................................... 11 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................... 18 1 INTRODUCTION
    [Show full text]
  • The Belfast Gazette, October 2, 1931. 973
    THE BELFAST GAZETTE, OCTOBER 2, 1931. 973 PROVISIONAL LIST Xo. 2179. LAND PURCHASE COMMISSION, NORTHERN IRELAND. NORTHERN IRELAND LAND ACT,1925. ESTATE OF EDWARD ARTHUR DONALD ST. GEORGE HAMILTON; SIXTH MARQUIS OF DONEGALL. County of Antrim. Record No. N.I. 1809. WHEREAS the above-mentioned Marquis of Donegall claims to be the Owner of land in the townlands of Bally- keel, Ballymuldrogh, Ballyharry, Balloo, Ballystrudder, Ballylumford, Ballycronan Beg, Ballycronan More, Ballyprior Beg, Ballyprior More, Ballymoney, Ballytober, Ballydown, Carnspindle, Cloghfin, Castletown (Parish of Islandmagee), Dundressan, Drumgurland, Gransha, Kilcoan Beg, Kilcoan More, Mullaghdoo, Mullaghboy, Portmuck and Temple- effin, all in the Barony of Lower Belfast and County of Antrim. Now in pursuance of the provisions of Section 17, Sub-section 2, of the above Act the Land Purchase Commission, Northern Ireland, hereby publish the following Provisional List of all land in the said Townlands of which the said Marquis of Donegall claims to be the Owner, which will become vested in the said Commission by virtue of Part II of the Northern Ireland Land Act, 1925, on the Appointed Day to be hereafter fixed. Reference ' PurchasStandarde ftfStandar „„.,„.d, j JJ0. 0U Map filed ' Annuity .?!"* tond, Reg. ; Name of Tenant. ^Postal Address. Barony. Townland. In Land Area. Rent. if land « NTo. Purchase • becomes becomes i Connnifs- vested. vested. tAoo A. R. p. £ s. d.< £ s. d. £ s. d. Holdings subject to Judicial Rents fixed between the loth August, 1896, and the 16th August, 1911. 1 Helen Arthurs (widow) Ballylumford, Lower Ballylum- ! 5 33 2 34 20 3 0 16 12 10350 7 0 Larne Belfast ford ' ! Harbour, | Co.
    [Show full text]
  • OTHER USERS and MATERIAL ASSETS (INFRASTRUCTURE, OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES) A3h.1 INTRODUCTION
    Offshore Energy SEA APPENDIX 3h – OTHER USERS AND MATERIAL ASSETS (INFRASTRUCTURE, OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES) A3h.1 INTRODUCTION The coasts and seas of the UK are intensively used for numerous activities of local, regional and national importance including coastally located power generators and process industries, port operations, shipping, oil and gas production, fishing, aggregate extraction, military practice, as a location for submarine cables and pipelines and for sailing, racing and other recreation. At a local scale, activities as diverse as saltmarsh, dune or machair grazing, seaweed harvesting or bait collection may be important. These activities necessarily interact at the coast and offshore and spatial conflicts can potentially arise. A key consideration of this SEA is the potential for plan elements to interact with other users and material assets, the nature and location of which are described below. A3h.2 PORTS AND SHIPPING A3h.2.1 Commercial ports UK ports are located around the coast, with their origin based on historic considerations including, principally, advantageous geography (major and other ports are indicated in Figure A3h.1 below). In 2007, some 582 million tonnes (Mt) of freight traffic was handled by UK ports, a slight decrease (ca. 2Mt) from that handled in 2006. The traffic handled in ports in England, Scotland and Wales was very similar in 2006 and 2007, differing by less than 0.5%. However, ports in Northern Ireland handled 2.5% less traffic in 2007, compared to in 2006. Over the last ten years, since 1997, inward traffic to UK ports has increased by 21% and outward traffic has decreased by 15%.
    [Show full text]
  • Aghyoule 110 Aghyoule 110Kv 0.985 0.978 0.989 0.980 0.986 0.979
    NORTHERN IRELAND TRANSMISSION LOSS ADJUSTMENT FACTORS 2018-19 Bus Month Transmission Voltage Station & Voltage October 2018 November 2018 December 2018 January 2019 February 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 July 2019 August 2019 September 2019 Station kV Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night Aghyoule 110 Aghyoule 110kV 0.985 0.978 0.989 0.980 0.986 0.979 0.990 0.983 0.990 0.984 0.987 0.981 0.985 0.982 0.980 0.976 0.977 0.973 0.979 0.973 0.979 0.975 0.981 0.977 Antrim 110 Antrim 110kV 1.000 0.998 1.002 1.000 0.999 0.998 1.002 1.003 1.003 1.003 1.001 1.001 1.000 1.003 0.996 0.998 0.992 0.993 0.994 0.995 0.994 0.997 0.996 0.998 Ballylumford 110 Ballylumford 110kV 0.996 0.995 0.998 0.997 0.996 0.996 0.998 1.000 0.999 1.001 0.999 1.001 0.996 1.000 0.991 0.994 0.988 0.990 0.990 0.991 0.989 0.992 0.990 0.993 Ballylumford 275 Ballylumford 275kV 0.999 0.998 1.001 1.000 0.999 0.999 1.001 1.003 1.002 1.004 1.001 1.002 0.999 1.003 0.995 0.998 0.991 0.993 0.994 0.995 0.993 0.996 0.994 0.997 Ballymena 110 Ballymena 110kV 1.000 0.998 1.003 1.000 1.000 0.999 1.003 1.003 1.004 1.004 1.002 1.002 1.001 1.004 0.997 0.998 0.993 0.994 0.995 0.995 0.995 0.997 0.996 0.998 Banbridge 110 Banbridge 110kV 1.006 1.003 1.008 1.005 1.006 1.004 1.009 1.008 1.009 1.008 1.008 1.007 1.007 1.008 1.004 1.004 1.000 0.999 1.002 1.000 1.002 1.002 1.003 1.003 Ballyvallagh 110 Ballyvallagh 110kV 0.998 0.997 1.000 0.999 0.998 0.997 1.001 1.002 1.002 1.003 1.001 1.002 0.999 1.002 0.994
    [Show full text]
  • Antrim Townlands Geographical Index Table Adobe PDF (307.61
    Townlands in County Antrim List Acravally Aganlane or Aghaboy Aghacarnaghan Parkmore Aghacarnan Aghacully Aghadavy Aghadolgan Aghadrumglasny Aghafatten Aghagallon Aghagheigh Aghaleck Aghalee Aghalislone Aghaloughan Aghalum Aghanamoney Aghancrossy Aghanliss Aghavary Aghnadarragh Aghnadore Aghnahough Aghrunniaght Agolagh Aird Alcrossagh Alder Rock Aldfreck Aldorough Altagore Altarichard Altaveedan North Altaveedan South Altigarron Altilevelly Altmore Lower Altmore Upper Altnahinch Andraid Annaghmore Anticur Antiville Antynanum Appletee Araboy Ardagh Ardaghmore or Ardclinis Ardicoan Ardihannon Glentop Ardmore Ardnaglass Artibrannan Artiferrall Artiforty or Artigoran Artiloman Artimacormick Shanaghy Lower Artlone Artnacrea Artnagross Artnagullian Artresnahan Aughaboy Aughalish Aughareamlagh Aughnacleagh Aughnaholle Aughnahoy Aughnamullan Aughnasillagh Aughterclooney Ault alias Ballaghbeddy Gowkstown Ballaghmore Ballaghmore or Ballealy North Ballealy South Bushmills Ballee Balleny Ballindam Ballindery Ballinlea Lower Ballinlea Upper Ballinloughan Ballintoy Ballintoy Demesne Ballintrae Balloo Ballsallagh Ballure Ballyagan Ballyaghagan Ballyalbanagh Ballyallaght Ballyarnot Ballybeg Ballybentragh Ballyberidagh Ballyberidagh Ballybogy Ballyboley North South Ballybollen Ballybought Ballyboylands Ballyboylands Lower Upper Ballybrack Ballybracken Ballybraddin Ballybrakes Ballybregagh Ballycairn Ballycalket Ballycarrickmaddy Ballycarry Ballycarry, Ballycarry, South- Ballyclan North-West West Ballyclare Ballyclaverty Ballycleagh Ballyclogh Ballyclogh
    [Show full text]
  • Mutual Energy 2018 £200M 40Year Tba Transmission Pipeline to West of NI
    A Northern Ireland company working for consumers Sam Gibson Moyle Operations Manager A Northern Ireland company working for consumers Sam Gibson • Moyle Interconnector Operations Manager (2 ½ years) • Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (lots more years) • What floats my boat? Asset Management (PM for PAS55 & ISO55001) Operations Asset systems A Northern Ireland company working for consumers 500MW HVDC Interconnector Scotland providing market link between Irish & GB electricity wholesale markets Northern Ireland England Scotland to Northern Ireland High Pressure natural gas transmission pipeline, BGTP, GTTW A Northern Ireland company working for consumers Company Activity Mutualised Bond Term Rate real Moyle 500MW DC link 2003 £135m 30year 2.94% Interconnector Scotland to NI Premier Scotland to Northern 2005 £107m 25year 2.46% Transmission Ireland gas pipeline ~8 mscm/day Belfast Gas Phoenix transmission 2008 £109m 40year 2.21% Transmission gas pipeline Islandmagee to Belfast West Transmission Mutual Energy 2018 £200m 40year tba transmission pipeline to west of NI A Northern Ireland company working for consumers Moyle Interconnector –The Asset • Link between the 275kV electrical transmission Kintyre Arran Ayr Coylton ELEMENTS Substation networks of Scotland and Northern Ireland of the MOYLE Pan-European energy market flows INTERCONNECTOR Overhead Line RouteAyrshire Reserve Undersea Cable Currarie Port Ancillary services Routes Auchencrosh Converter Station Co.Antrim Portmuck Underground Larne Cable Route Stranraer Ballycronan
    [Show full text]
  • 24 November 2020
    ARDS AND NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL 24 November 2020 Dear Sir/Madam You are hereby invited to attend a virtual meeting of the Planning Committee of the Ards and North Down Borough Council on Tuesday 1 December 2020 commencing at 7.00pm. Yours faithfully Stephen Reid Chief Executive Ards and North Down Borough Council A G E N D A 1. Apologies 2. Declarations of Interest 3. Matters arising from minutes Planning Committee Meeting of 3 November 2020 (Copy attached) 4. Planning Applications (Reports attached) 2 No. two-storey dwellings and garages (Change of house type to extant permission W/1997/0548, enlarged 4.1 LA06/2019/1215/F curtilage and revised access arrangements) 5a Brompton Road, Bangor Extension and enhancement of existing trails comprising new walking trails, multi-use family cycle trail, upgrades 4.2 LA06/2019/1291/F to existing trails and associated information panels, waymarkers and seating Cairn Wood, 21 Craigantlet Road, Newtownards 5. Update on Planning Appeals (Report attached) 6. SONI Draft Transmission Development Plan Consultation (Report attached) 7. Draft Information Guide for Local Councils – Listed Building (Report attached) 8. Living with Water in Belfast – An Infrastructure Plan for Drainage and Wastewater Management in Greater Belfast (Copy consultation document attached) MEMBERSHIP OF PLANNING COMMITTEE (16 MEMBERS) Alderman Gibson Councillor Kennedy Alderman Keery Councillor McAlpine Alderman McDowell Councillor McClean (Chair) Alderman McIlveen Councillor McKee Councillor Adair Councillor McRandal Councillor Brooks Councillor P Smith Councillor Cathcart Councillor Thompson Councillor Cooper (Vice Chair) Councillor Walker ARDS AND NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL A virtual meeting of the Planning Committee was held on Tuesday, 3 November 2020 at 7.00pm via Zoom.
    [Show full text]
  • Tuos Statement of Charges
    TUoS Statement of Charges Applicable from 1st October 2020 This Statement has been approved by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTACT DETAILS ......................................................................................................... 3 DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................... 4 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 6 PRINCIPLES FOR CHARGING FOR USE OF THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ............... 8 SCHEDULE A: CHARGES TO SUPPLIERS FOR USE OF THE NIE NETWORKS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM .............................................................................................. 11 SCHEDULE B: CHARGES TO GENERATORS FOR USE OF THE NIE NETWORKS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM .............................................................................................. 13 SCHEDULE C: CHARGES LEVIED ON INTERCONNECTOR CAPACITY HOLDERS .. 18 SCHEDULE D: COLLECTION AGENCY INCOME REQUIREMENT (CAIRt) ................. 20 SCHEDULE E: ENERGY METERING EQUIPMENT COSTS .......................................... 22 SCHEDULE F: CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PERIOD ............................................................ 24 APPENDIX 1: SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES (SSS) CHARGE .................................... 26 APPENDIX 2: OTHER SYSTEM CHARGES ................................................................... 27 Statement Of Charges – For Use of Northern Ireland
    [Show full text]
  • Transmission Development Plan Northern Ireland 2019-2028 Disclaimer
    Transmission Development Plan Northern Ireland 2019-2028 Disclaimer While all reasonable care has been taken to prepare this document, we can make no guarantee to the quality, accuracy and completeness of the information herein. We do not accept responsibility for any loss associated with the use of this information. Use of this document and the information it contains is at the user’s own risk. Information in this document does not amount to a recommendation as regards to any possible investment. Before taking a business decision based on the content of this document, we advise that interested parties seek separate and independent opinion in relation to the matters covered by this document. Copyright Notice All rights reserved. This entire publication is subject to the laws of copyright. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or manual, including photocopying without the prior written permission of SONI Ltd. Page b SONI Transmission Development Plan Northern Ireland • 2019-2028 Table of Contents Document Structure ...................................................................................................................1 Abbreviations and Glossary of Terms ..........................................................................................2 Abbreviations ..........................................................................................................................2 Glossary of Terms .....................................................................................................................4
    [Show full text]
  • A158(NB42) 2 Generators and Suppliers to Develop Renewable Rapidly Developing Area and a Number of New Energy Capacity
    Date: March 2005 No. 42 Subject: Powerful connections: How nuclear energy finds its way into the Irish electricity grid. Summary Electricity is traded between the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom mainland, and Europe through the Moyle interconnector which links Scotland and Northern Ireland and a network of further interconnector cables. This network allows electricity generated at nuclear power stations to enter the supply networks in Northern Ireland and the Republic. However, the interconnector network also provides the potential to allow renewable energy generated in Ireland to be exported to the United Kingdom mainland. The Moyle interconnector The Moyle interconnector links the Northern Ireland and Scottish electricity grids through a submarine cable running 53 kilometers across the North Channel from Ballycronan More in Islandmagee, County Antrim, to Auchencrosh in Ayrshire (1). An interconnector agreement was first signed between Northern Ireland Electricity (responsible for regulated electricity transmission, distribution and supply in Northern Ireland) and Scottish Power in 1991, and public inquiries into the project were held in Scotland and Northern Ireland in 1994/5. Construction contracts were awarded in 1999 and the interconnector was fully operational by April 2002, linking the Northern Irish electricity system into the much larger electricity systems and markets of Great Britain and the European mainland (2, 3). The cost of construction was £150 million (215 million Euro), with 35% of the project costs funded by the European Regional Development Fund (4). In 2003 the interconnector was sold by the Viridian Group plc (the parent company of Northern Ireland Electricity) to Moyle Holdings Ltd, a not-for-equity-distribution company (5).
    [Show full text]