East West Interconnector
Cross BorderOperational
IEGB
500 MW200 kV264 km2012Also known as:East–West Interconnector, EWIC, NESO TEC PRO-000284
Status:Operational
Capacity:500 MW
Project Company:EirGrid Interconnector DAC (EIDAC)
Type:cross border
Expected Life:40 years
Website:www.eirgridgroup.com
The East West Interconnector (EWIC) is a 500 MW ±200 kV HVDC Light link using submarine and underground cables to connect the electricity transmission grids of Ireland and Great Britain between Meath, Ireland and Deeside, Wales.
Supply Chain (6)
Project Timeline (22)
Mar 2022Major Outage
In March 2022, after a planned three-week shutdown, the East–West Interconnector remained operating at below 1% of its capacity for an ongoing period, indicating a significant reduction in available transfer capability following maintenance.
Jun 2017System Restoration
By June 2017 the East–West Interconnector had been returned to full capacity in both directions, completing the post-fault remediation and restoration of its rated 500 MW bidirectional transfer capability.
Jun 2017Operations Other
By June 2017, the East–West Interconnector was reported to be operating with full transfer capacity available in both directions between Ireland and the UK.
20 Dec 2016System Restoration
Following repairs after the September 2016 fault, the East–West Interconnector re-entered service on 20 December 2016 with its full 500 MW import capability restored, although export capacity to the UK remained limited to around 280 MW pending further remedial work.
20 Dec 2016System Restoration
Following the 2016 fault, the East–West Interconnector re-entered service with its full 500 MW import capability restored, while export capacity to the UK remained limited to roughly 280 MW.
8 Sept 2016Major Outage
On 8 September 2016, the East–West Interconnector experienced a fault during annual maintenance at the County Meath converter station being carried out by ABB, taking the link out of normal service.
1 May 2013Commercial Operations Full Power
The East–West Interconnector (EWIC) entered commercial operation with unrestricted power flows on 1 May 2013, enabling full commercial use of its 500 MW HVDC link between Ireland and Great Britain.
20 Sept 2012First Power
The East–West Interconnector was officially opened on 20 September 2012 at Batterstown, County Meath, where it connects to the Irish national grid, in a ceremony attended by Irish, UK and EU representatives, marking the practical completion of construction and entry into service ahead of full commercial operations.
Sept 2012Onss Commissioned
The East–West 400 kV interconnector, including its associated onshore grid connection infrastructure, was commissioned onto the Irish transmission system in September 2012 as part of ESB Networks’ transmission capital works programme.
7 Aug 2012System Testing
The East–West Interconnector entered a testing phase on 7 August 2012, during which the 500 MW HVDC link was energized and trialled prior to full commercial operation.