Minister for Foreign Affairs welcomes the announcement of EU funding for an East-West Electricity Interconnector
An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha Preas Ráiteas
Department of Foreign Affairs Press Release
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Minister for Foreign Affairs welcomes the announcement of EU funding for an East-West Electricity Interconnector
Minister Micheál Martin welcomed the announcement by the European Commission of the inclusion of a €100million European Union contribution to the construction of the East-West Electricity Interconnector across the Irish Sea. The Minister had urged the Commission to support the Interconnector in its list of proposed projects during the discussion by European Foreign Ministers on European energy security in Brussels on Monday 26 January.
Minister Martin said that the Interconnector would improve Ireland’s energy security, promote greater competition in the electricity sector in the all-island Single Energy Market and will offer opportunities for the export of Irish wind generated electricity, providing a further boost to Ireland’s growing renewable energy sector.
"This announcement is a very positive contribution by the Commission. Energy investment will be central to renewed growth in the Irish economy and an expansion in high value employment in coming years. The Interconnector project will improve our integration into the European energy market and underpin the prospects for investment in the domestic energy sector."
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28 January 2009
Press Office
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