Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Undergrounding High-Voltage Cables Can Be Justified Says MEP At a breakfast discussion in the European Parliament organised by Independent MEP Marian Harkin yesterday, Wednesday, November 18th, it was indicated that the undergrounding of high-voltage electricity transmission cables could be more affordable than previously thought. In a statement following the discussion, which included representatives of the European cable manufacturing industry, the European Commission and MEPs, Marian Harkin said that new information, especially from Germany, indicated that undergrounding of interconnectors and other planned overhead transmission lines could cost the end consumer from as little €3.40 to €9.10 extra per annum. "This compares very favourably with the exaggerated claims of those who have dismissed the possibility of undergrounding high-voltage cables on the basis that the capital cost would be unaffordable" she said. She continued: "eliminating fears about health risks associated with high-voltage overhead cables, and avoiding the huge controversy around land acquisition and landscape infringement would be major benefits that would derive from undergrounding, or partial undergrounding of projects such as the cross border interconnector or Grid West. It would also help to ensure a speedy process because of the avoidance of planning appeals, and court cases, and it would allay people's health concerns. "The cost factor in undergrounding would also be positively affected by the employment created and the taxes derived from the construction of projects. Today's meeting made it very clear - the technology is there and it is affordable. In the past four years alone, 3,000 high voltage direct current cables (HVDC) and 5,000 high voltage alternating current cables (HVAC) have been installed globally. "An example of the growing importance of undergrounding is the draft legislation in Germany which will give priority to undergrounding a 700 km direct current (DC) line from northern to southern Germany as well as sixteen pilot projects where approximately 20km of alternating current (AC) cables will be undergrounded. Ireland can no longer bury its head in the sand and neglect the real concerns of citizens and communities. We should be following Germany's lead as well as that of the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark and indeed many European countries. If we want the North - South Interconnector or Grid West to proceed in a timely and efficient way then undergrounding must be integral to the process", Marian Harkin concluded.