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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.