Kinnegad - Dunfeirth - Rinawade, Co. Meath

What’s proposed

EirGrid PLC, with the consent and approval of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), intends to apply for permission for works to uprate the existing Rinawade – Dunfirth Tee – Kinnegad 110kV overhead line (OHL). Within County Meath, the proposed development will take place within the following townlands: JARRETSTOWN, WALTERSTOWN, MOOR OF MEATH, RATHLEEK, GRANGE, BOGGANSTOWN, CAPPAGHCREEN, BROWNSTOWN, SALESTOWN, AFFOLLUS, KILGRAIGUE, HARRISTOWN, PORTERSTOWN, KILCLONE, KIMMINS, BARROCKSTOWN, BALLYMAGILLIN, MULHUSSEY, FERRESTOWN, RODANSTOWN, BATTERSTOWN, DOLANSTOWN, CALGATH, BALFEAGHAN, KILGLIN, FERRANS, CASTLEJORDAN, GORTNAHORNA, KILLASKILLEN, CLONGALL, KNOCKERSALLY OR COLEHILL. The Rinawade - Dunfirth Tee - Kinnegad 110 kV OHL circuit runs through County Meath, County Kildare and County Offaly. It is 54 km in length and travels from Kinnegad 110 kV substation in Killaskillen (County Meath) and traverses southeast where a short loop into Dunfirth 110 kV substation in Dunfirth (County Kildare) exists. The line then continues southeast where it terminates at Rinawade 110kV substation in Rinawade Lower (County Kildare). The OHL has a total of 249no. supporting structures. Within the functional area of Meath County Council, there is 23.16 km of the existing OHL circuit, with 107 no. structures. Within the functional area of Kildare County Council there is 30.66 km, with 140 no. structures, and within the functional area of Offaly County Council there is 0.42 km, with 2 no. structures. Separate planning applications will be lodged with Kildare County Council and Offaly County Council. The proposed development within Co. Meath will comprise: • the replacement (“restringing”) of the existing OHL circuit conductor wires with a new higher capacity conductor between structure numbers 1 - 37, 185 - 214, and 218 - 223; • the replacement of angle mast in-situ at 1no. location, with a new angle mast; • the strengthening of tower foundations at 3no. locations; • the strengthening of towers (i.e., member replacement) at 5no. locations; • the painting of towers at 7no. locations; • shear block remedial works of towers at 1no. locations; • the replacement of polesets at 38no. locations, with similar structures. There will be no change in height at 12no. poleset replacements. There will be height increases between 0.1m and 2.0m at 26no. poleset replacements. • the replumbing of polesets at 11no. locations; • the replacement of insulating and ancillary hardware at