The contentious North- South pylons project moved a step ahead after an independent panel overseeing the upgrade of the power grid gave its blessing to planning work by EirGrid, the State company that runs the network.

A unanimous assessment by the expert panel chaired by former Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness means it has now concluded its work in respect of the North-South project.

The pylons would connect the electricity networks in the Republic and Northern Ireland via points in counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.

Sustained local opposition to the North-South plan led to backbench pressure on the Government to bring it within the ambit of the panel led by Ms McGuinness.

The panel was originally established to scrutinise separate EirGrid plans to upgrade the network in the west, known as Grid West, and the southeast, known as Grid Link. Each of these is at an earlier phase of development than the North-South plan.

Preparatory work

The panel, appointed by Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte, said in a statement yesterday that the preparatory work undertaken by EirGrid for the North-South line was in line with preparations for Grid West and Grid Link.

“Having considered and discussed all of the material, the panel is unanimously of the opinion that, in all material respects, what has already been done on the North-South project is compatible with the methodologies now being employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects,” it said.

“While the panel acknowledges that no two grid infrastructure projects are identical, and that some non-comparabilities are likely to arise when assessing the potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors, the panel is of the opinion that no material differences in the methodologies arise.”

Cost savings

EirGrid welcomed the assessment, saying the North- South line was “absolutely vital and urgent” for consumers in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“It will bring about major cost savings and address significant issues around security of electricity supply.”

The panel said the project was part of an ongoing process that it expects will be subjected to a rigorous planning assessment on both sides of the Border.

“It is also the case that such planning processes allow potential objectors to the North-South project to register their objections and to have them considered by the planning authorities.”

Following EirGrid’s publication of an underground route for the Grid West initiative last week, the panel said it would provide an opinion on the project in January 2015.

“An opinion on the Grid Link project is not expected to be provided until around end- July 2015,” it added.