Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe has welcomed the conclusion of the Celtic Interconnector Agreements between France and Ireland, giving the green light for construction to begin in 2023. Developed by Eirgrid and RTE France, the Celtic Interconnector is a 700-megawatt (700MW) high voltage, 575 kilometre, submarine power cable that will link the south coast of Ireland to the north of France. It will be Ireland's first interconnection with mainland Europe. It will be able to import and export enough electricity to power 450,000 homes, and is expected to be operational by 2026.

MEP Cuffe said: “More interconnectivity between EU energy markets will deliver cheaper electricity prices, ramp up renewables, and protect people from price shocks like we’ve seen this year. Our first response during an energy crisis like this should be to increase connectivity between our energy markets. And in 2021, cross-border energy trade in the EU also delivered €34 billion in benefits.  This new link is one of the building blocks of the European Supergrid which will allow more renewable electricity to be sent where it is needed. Similar interconnectors could eventually link Ireland to Norway and Spain, allowing more hydropower and solar-generated electricity to flow across the continent.The Celtic Interconnector will make a huge difference for Ireland’s energy security - we will be able to import energy when we need it, and export renewables when we have more than enough. Today, Ireland’s future as a net energy exporter and off-shore wind energy giant comes one step closer to reality.”

The total cost of the Celtic Interconnector project is over €1.6 billion and it is partially funded by the EU. As an EU-designated “Project of Common Interest”, the project will benefit from financial support through the European Interconnection Mechanism (EIM) loan instrument – a fund for developing Europe's energy, transport and telecommunications networks. In 2019, RTE France and Eirgrid also secured €530.7 million of CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) funding for the project.