TI LirLC has secured a “Transmission Licence” to “Participate in the Transmission of Electricity” from the Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) for its LirlC Interconnector Project, authorising the company to move electricity into and out of the Integrated Single Energy Market on the Island of Ireland. The LirlC Interconnector Project consists of a new HVDC sub-sea electricity interconnector between the Belfast region in Northern Ireland and the Ayrshire region in Scotland.
Providing up to 700 MW of further capacity between the Irish Integrated Single Energy Market (I-SEM) and the GB wholesale electricity market, it will comprise two HVDC converter stations, one located in Scotland and the other in Northern Ireland, connecting LirIC to the 275 kV High-Voltage network in Northern Ireland and the 400 kV High-Voltage network in Scotland. In addition, two HVDC cables will connect the two converter stations and be buried underground or under the bed of the Irish Sea. The total cable route length of LirIC is expected to be around 142 km. Commissioning is expected in 2032.
TI LirLC owns eleven Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) projects under management or at preferred bidder stage, three interconnector projects in development and four Grid Stability projects in development or under construction. The Integrated Single Energy Market on the Island of Ireland is already interconnected with the GB wholesale electricity market via the Moyle Interconnector (500 MW) in Northern Ireland and the East-West Interconnector between Wales (UK) and Ireland (500 MW). In addition, the Greenlink (500 MW) between Wales (UK) and Ireland should enter commercial operations in early 2025.