EirGrid planning upgrade of overhead powerlines in Louth

EirGrid PLC is planning an upgrade of overhead powerlines in a number of areas in Louth and is seeking planning permission from the local planning authority.

In a planning application this week, it says that with the consent and approval of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), it intends to apply to Louth County Council for permission for works associated with the proposed uprate of the existing Louth –Woodland 220 kV overhead powerline (OHL) between the existing Louth 220 kV substation in the townland of Monavallet and the existing Woodland 220 kV substation in the townland of Woodland, County Meath. 

The Louth – Woodland 220 kV OHL is approximately 61.5 km long and comprises 207 no. steel lattice tower structures. The existing circuit is located within the functional area of Louth County Council and Meath County Council. Approximately 23 km of the existing OHL circuit is located within the functional area of Louth County Council and approximately 38.5 km is within the functional area of Meath County Council. 

The Proposed Development within the functional area of Louth County Council is located in the townlands of Monavallet, Carnalughoge, Tullycahan, Priorstate, Artoney, Lowrath North, Rathbrist, Mullacrew, Kilcroney, Glydefarm, Corbollis, Bogtown, Dowdstown, Cudderstown, Scogganstown, Stickillin, Hoathtown, Baltrasna, Hacklim, Millockstown, Anaglog, Belpatrick, and Collon.

The proposed development works within the functional area of County Louth will comprise:

• the replacement (“restringing”) of the existing overhead line circuit conductor with a new higher capacity conductor;
• the strengthening of up to 26 no. tower foundations;
• the replacement of hardware and fittings, such as insulators, insulator hardware, earthwire hardware, anti-climbing guards and bird warning spheres at various locations;
• the replacement of suspension clamps and vibration dampers at all structure locations;
• all associated temporary site development works to gain access to the existing structures including clearance of vegetation, disassembly and reassembly of gate posts / piers and removal and reinstatement of existing fencing; and
• other temporary associated and ancillary development works required for the purpose of the uprate of the existing circuit, including temporary guard poles, construction compounds, the installation of silt traps, silt fences, stone tracks, ground protection mats and temporary watercourse crossings. 

A decision is due on the planning application by 25 October, with submissions due by 4 October.