Farmers and landowners affected by the construction of a new high-power ESB power line from Limerick to Nenagh, Co Tipperary, are set to benefit from compensation following a landmark deal with farmers in a similar situation in Co Kerry.
A flood of compensation claims are expected to be received by the ESB in the coming weeks after the company agreed to compensate farmers for the losses and restrictions imposed by power lines crossing their land.
The ESB is planning to construct a new 110kw power line between Killonan, Co Limerick, and Nenagh with a foreign company engaged to carry out the work.
Construction of the line will take place over the next couple of months.
Until recently, a small annual allowance has been payable by the ESB to landowners in respect of high power lines.
But a challenge by farmers in Co Kerry calling for once-off compensation for the loss or potential loss to their property by the construction of a new Tarbert to Tralee line has been concluded recently, with the ESB conceding entitlement to the farmers and agreeing terms to be offered to the landowners. Under the terms of the agreement the landowners are to be offered once-off compensation of €9,000 per set of double twin woodpoles, €18,000 for an angle steel mast and €400 where it is wires only crossing the land.
The ESB has also agreed to reinstate the land arising from any damage in the process or erecting the line, but the cost of reseeding the land will be paid for by the landowner.
The annual interference payment of €30 for each twin pole and €45 for single steel masts has not been changed.