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IBEC, the group which represents Irish business, has welcomed
the publication of an independent report - initiated by the
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- on the comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission
lines versus underground cables (Click
Here).
IBEC again stressed the business imperative for energy to
be delivered to consumers, using the most economic and reliable
infrastructure options available.
IBEC Senior Policy Executive, Erik O’Donovan said - “Transmission
and distribution costs form 30% of large energy consumers’
electricity bills. Given rising global energy costs, the key
business concern is that energy is delivered to consumers
in an economic and reliable manner.”
The study, which was carried out by the consultancy, Ecofys,
found that underground cables currently do not compare to
overhead lines in terms of reliability and security of electricity
supply. Underground cables have a likelihood of unplanned
breakdowns that is 10 times higher than overhead lines, which
is a significant issue when maintaining a reliable electricity
supply to consumers.
The study also indicates that the capital costs of underground
cables would be five times that of overhead lines. However,
it notes that the cost of underground cable proposals could
be even higher still.
Mr. O’Donovan concluded - “A reliable and cost-effective
energy supply network is crucial to our economic prosperity
in terms of attracting inward investment and promoting regional
economic development. IBEC hopes that the findings of the
Ecofys report will encourage policy decisions that prioritise
the timely delivery of cost-effective and reliable energy
supply infrastructure.”
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