Electric.ie January February 2020

ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 49 Industry News Celtic Interconnector to proceed with €530m EU grant T he official confirmation that €530m in grant aid from the European Commission will see Ireland establish an electricity link with France. Not alone will this link join us to the French market, but it also ensures we are embedded in the EU's Internal Energy Market. After Brexit, such a link is essential to ensure Ireland is able to maintain access to all the benefits this pan European market brings". The €1 billion Celtic Interconnector will connect Ireland's electricity network to France via an underwater connection of some 575kms. Once built, its 700 megawatts capacity will power 450,000 households, and help Ireland to switch to 70% renewable energy as set out in the Government's Climate Action Plan. A vital part of Project Ireland B.E.G. LUXOMAT ® net DALI LINK Intelligent light! beg-luxomat.com DALI 4-way push- button module with Bluetooth Gateway DALI Multisensor DALI Power supply  Addressable multi-master Lighting Control System  Supports DALI and DALI-2 luminaires  Ideal for retrofitting  Super flat multisensor  Simple, intuitive operation  Free Bluetooth app with 2 functions: - Scene control for end customer - Commissioning tool for installers 2040, the Interconnector is likely to drive down electricity prices for the consumer through increased competition. The interconnector will also provide improved security and diversification of electricity supply. In addition, it will facilitate the further development of renewable energy as Irish renewable electricity can be exported rather than curtailed or restricted, especially in the night time when demand for electricity is lower. The investment was secured under the EU's Connecting Europe Facility. The application was made possible by the status of the Celtic Interconnector as a Project of Common Interest (PCI). Projects with PCI status are recognised as essential for completing the European Internal Energy Market and for reaching the EU's energy policy objectives of affordable, secure and sustainable energy. The interconnector is being jointly developed by EirGrid and its French counterpart Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE), and has, over several years, been supported by Ireland during the EU PCI process which has ultimately made the grant possible. The project signifies a new and welcome phase in Irish-French relations.of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Former winners include Jack Charlton, Eddie Jordan and most recently in 2018, former Ireland Rugby team coach Joe Schmidt. This is the second time Jim Gavin has won the award following his success in 2013. In attendance were the other Sports Managers who have won Monthly Awards this year, as well as representatives from Irish Sporting Bodies and the media.