In a major milestone for the proposed Greenlink electricity interconnector between Ireland and the UK, Greenlink Interconnector Limited has this week submitted three planning applications for the project’s onshore works in Wales, including underground cable installation and construction of a converter station.

The applications for planning permission have been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

This follows a period of consultation on the draft planning applications, which ran from December 18 to January 22.

The final applications once validated will be subject to a further 21-day period of statutory public consultation to be undertaken by the relevant local planning authorities.

Nigel Beresford, CEO for Greenlink Interconnector Limited, commented: “We are delighted to have reached this major project milestone and to be submitting our onshore planning application in Wales.

“It represents the culmination of over 3 years of detailed technical and environmental work by our team and valuable input from local stakeholders to produce an application that we believe is of the highest quality, balancing the need to protect sensitive and valued areas like Freshwater West beach whilst maximising the important local economic benefits.”

In Pembrokeshire the Greenlink interconnector comprises a subsea cable intended to come ashore under the beach and dunes at Freshwater West and continuing underground to a new converter station located near to the existing Pembroke substation.

Copies of the planning documents, including the application, plans and combined supporting documents, are published on www.greenlink.ie

Anyone who wishes to make representations to the Local Planning Authorities during the public consultation period should go to www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control and www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/planning

Tom Brinicombe, who leads planning and development for the project in Wales, added: “I firmly believe that our final proposals have really benefited from the input we’ve received from the community and other stakeholders.

“One of the major concerns raised has been any potential impact on Freshwater West.

“We have taken these concerns very seriously and committed to drilling under the beach to avoid direct impacts on beach users.

“Additionally, we will schedule work to minimise local impacts.

“Due to Coronavirus and the latest UK Government advice, we are unable to hold public consultation events or face-to-face meetings with stakeholders.

“However, local people and organisations with an interest in the project will be able to view and make comments on the applications online or by post and we will also have all documents available on the Greenlink website.

“I and other Greenlink representatives remain available to answer any questions about the project by email and telephone and I would encourage people to get in touch if they have any queries or feedback,” he added.

Greenlink is one of Europe’s most important energy infrastructure projects.

The electricity interconnector brings benefits on both sides of the Irish Sea for energy security, regional investment, jobs and the cost-effective integration of low carbon energy.

The marine planning applications in both Wales and Ireland were submitted towards the end of 2019 and the application for onshore works in Ireland is currently being prepared.

The project is expected to have a three-year construction programme, offering local supply chain opportunities.