ABB appointed Kirby as a construction subcontractor for the East West Interconnector project to build the AC/DC converter station at Portan, County Meath. Kirby’s scope included construction and pre‑commissioning of the Portan 400 kV AIS substation to EirGrid’s functional specifications, installation of 400/260 kV 560 MVA transformers, 400 kV and 260 kV switchgear and filters, a 260 kV reactor, and construction of the AC/DC valve hall and associated cooling systems. The company also installed transmission and distribution underground cables, MV cable connection systems, fibre networks, DC battery systems and related auxiliary systems at the Irish converter station, integrating the interconnector with the onshore grid.