Midlands windfarm project secures UK grid connection

Mainstream Renewable Power has secured a connection offer to the UK National Grid for its proposed 5,000MWs 'Energy Bridge' wind park in the midlands. Mainstream's Chief Executive Eddie O'Connor welcomed news that a UK grid connection had been signed for 2017. "Energy Bridge is now firmly on track to start exporting power from 2017," he said. Since first announcing its 'Energy Bridge' export plans in June of last year the company has signed contracts with 300 private landowners in the midlands which is 50% of the land required, with the remainder currently being finalised with landowners' solicitors. Up to 400 turbines are planned across six counties, Offaly, Laois, Meath, Kildare, Westmeath and Tipperary. The project will export power to plug the UK's energy gap, starting in 2017 Mainstream said it planned to start a comprehensive public consultation process in the spring of this year once all of the land has been secured. A Memorandum of Understanding was agreed between the Irish and British governments for the export of power from Ireland to the UK and late last year the UK released its new Energy Bill which, for the first time, makes specific provision for an Energy Bridge type project. Backers of the Mainstream Energy Bridge project argue that they can create 54,000 new jobs in manufacturing, construction and operations and maintenance, provide €2.5 billion every year in export revenue and generate €12 billion in tax revenues over 25 years.