Political Clarity Required on North South Interconnector Project – IFA

IFA President Eddie Downey has called on the Government to immediately seek clarity from the Northern Assembly on their future power generation plans in the North, and how these will impact on the necessity for the North-South Interconnector.

He said, “Future plans for existing power stations in Ballylumford, Co. Antrim and at least two other sites in Northern Ireland may impinge significantly on the justification for the provision of additional interconnector facilities beyond those which already exist”.

Eddie Downey said he understood alternative proposals for the retention of these plants by changing from coal to gas, similar to plans for Moneypoint, may negate the requirement for the proposed capital spend on the North South Interconnector.

Political clarity is required urgently, north and south, before any more work is done on plans for the North South Interconnector, he concluded.