Any cost benefit analysis of over and undergrounding of high voltage electricity cables must place as much emphasis on factors such as landscape and health as it does on the cost of materials and installation.
This was the response of Independent MEP Marian Harkin to the announcement of developments concerning the western element of the Grid 25 project.
She said:- “Minister of Communications Pat Rabbitte has today stated clearly his preference for the over ground development of Grid 25 based on his contention that in the current economic climate the imperative is for the lowest cost solution. This would of course ignore factors such as adverse effects on the tourism sector and the important health issues associated with the presence of high voltage overhead cables. It would also ignore the important issue of the added value which will arise from undergrounding high voltage cables with significant employment created for small local contractors. This in turn will provide substantial taxes for the Exchequer and this must be considered in any cost benefit analysis.
“It is only a short time ago when EirGrid stated that undergrounding Grid 25 was not technically feasible. Now that it is clear that undergrounding is feasible the argument of Minster Rabbitte is focussed on cost to the consumers. However when consumers were, in the past year, hit with an increase of over 53% in the public service obligation portion of their electricity bills there was no concern expressed from official sources.
“I have confidence in the independence of the McGuinness Panel which will ultimately assess the information provided by EirGrid in relation to Grid 25. However it will be vital for that panel to factor in possible costs involved in damaging landscape and the serious issue of public concern about health issues arising from the existence of high voltage overhead cables. In this regard the An Bord Pleanala Inspector’s Report on the recent Laois-Kilkenny Reinforcement Project stated in relation to Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) “Despite the averred adherence to the precautionary principle, it appears that the proposed upgraded power line from Ballyragget to Kilkenny could have an adverse impact on those living closest to it in terms of magnetic field radiation”.
However in its planning decision An Bord Pleanala stated that international expert opinion offset the Inspector’s view and was deemed not to be a factor which would affect the planning decision. This is a decision which requires the closest possible examination in the context of the entire Grid 25 project and the McGuinness Panel must ensure that a detailed examination of all peer reviewed studies of EMF are taken into account in their overall assessment, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.
