Tuam to host public consultation day for Grid West project

TUAM is to host one of four open days to inform members of the public of plans to connect the West of Ireland's renewable energy resources to the national electricity grid. The Grid West project is being developed by EirGrid at a cost of €240 million and will see new transmission lines linking Mayo to both Galway and Roscommon.[private] The information sessions in Ballina, Bangor Erris, Ballaghadereen and Tuam, are the first phase of public consultations on the development. Each open day will take place from 1pm to 8pm, with the Tuam event being held in the Corralea Court Hotel on Thursday, June 14. Based on the region's huge renewable energy potential, the overall project will involve two high capacity power lines from Bellacorick, County Mayo, to both Cashla in County Galway and Flagford in County Roscommon. 'During this first phase of public consultation we encourage people to come in and talk to us about the study area,' said project manager Alan McHugh. 'Local knowledge is invaluable and all information received will inform preparations and plans for proposed route corridors and the line route for the Grid West Project. 'We urge people to provide feedback on the proposed study-area map and let us know about any regional or locally important features that they believe should be considered as the project develops.' A deadline for feedback from the first consultation has been set at Friday, July 6, so the four open days will take place throughout June in order to ensure as much information can be gathered from interested parties. 'The Grid West project is in its initial phase and a comprehensive consultation roadmap is being followed to ensure that all interested parties have their views heard and questions answered,' added Alan. 'This initial stage is designed to publish and gather information on the study area, the search area within which the project will be located.' Further consultation opportunities will be held throughout the project to ensure the public's feedback is taken into account. The Grid West project is part of Grid25, EirGrid's plan to develop and upgrade the country's electricity transmission network from now until 2025. The project is scheduled to take several years to complete, with a planning application expected for submission to An Bord Pleanála in 2015. Assuming no delays in the planning or consultation processes and no significant reductions in the volume of wind development planned in Mayo, the Grid West infrastructure is planned to come on line by late 2019. For those unable to attend the public open days, they can submit their views tby email to gridwest@eirgrid.com or by post to Grid West Project Office, EirGrid, PO Box 12226, Dublin 4.[/private]