Operations Other

EirGrid has been carrying out a biodiversity enhancement project at the East West Interconnector (EWIC) converter station site at Portan, Co. Meath since 2019. The initiative focuses on improving biodiversity across approximately four hectares of unmanaged grassland meadow, intensively managed amenity grassland, and a small native woodland plantation within the converter station site. Actions include altering the mowing regime and removing perennial weeds to boost wildflower abundance and diversity, planting up to 1,000 native Irish-grown trees in partnership with the charity Trees on the Land, ceasing herbicide use in parkland areas, creating fenced-off scrapes for nesting bees, retaining dead wood for insects, fungi and bats, and installing a monitored nesting bird box. A botanical monitoring programme underpins the project’s ecological assessment.