Upgrading the Irish Transmission Grid

The Project

The Irish Transmission System Operator, EirGrid, set an ambitious programme to upgrade the Irish Transmission grid by 2030. The programme will facilitate over 50% of electricity consumption from renewable sources, primarily wind and solar. Whilst providing energy security, the upgrade meets EU climate change targets now and in the future.

What we delivered

Conductor Replacement and line refurbishment of 110 kV lines with 430 mm² Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (“Bison”) and Optical Phase Conductor (OPC) fibre-optic equivalent conductors. 

Reconductoring of 110 kV and 220 kV lines with Gap-type High-Temperature Low-Sag (HTLS) conductor to replace existing Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) conductors. 

The Results

• 60% of total planned uprates completed in first 10 years 
• 500 kilometres of 220 kV HTLS uprates on 10 lines 
• 300 kilometres of 110 kV HTLS uprates on 20 lines 
• Over 500 kilometres of 110 kV ACSR uprates on over 20 lines 

The Details

ESB International is supplying all engineering consultancy and design services for the uprating of existing 110 kV and 220 kV circuits, including: 

• Feasibility studies and Route selection 
• Existing line condition assessment 
• Lidar and ground survey 
• Thermal rating assessments
• All design requirements – schedules / profiles / materials / mapping  
• Materials contract specification and tender evaluation 
• Material supplier management including material type and sample testing 
• Sag charts and installation procedures 
• Line commissioning  
• As-builts and safety file production