Developed jointly by the French and Irish Transmission System Operators (RTE – Réseau de Transport d’Électricité and EirGrid), the Celtic Interconnector is a 700 MW project that will create the first direct electricity interconnection between the European continent (France) and Ireland. With a transmission capacity of 700 MW, the project will enable the exchange of electricity between France and Ireland, supplying power equivalent to the needs of approximately 450,000 homes.
The pull-in operation was carried out as part of Nexans’ offshore installation scope, with support from the cable-laying vessel Calypso, marking continued progress in the execution of the project.
The Celtic Interconnector spans approximately 575 km between La Martyre in Brittany, France, and East Cork, Ireland.
The interconnection is based on 320 kV HVDC technology and includes approximately 500 km of offshore high-voltage cable, complemented by around 40 km of underground cable in France, 35 km in Ireland, and a 10 km 400 kV HVAC connection to the Irish grid.
Nexans is responsible for the engineering, manufacturing, and installation of the full cable system. The high-voltage cables are manufactured in Halden, Norway, using advanced extruded XLPE insulation technology, while land cables are produced in Charleroi, Belgium, with accessories manufactured in Cortaillod, Switzerland.
Recognized by the European Union as a Project of Common Interest (PCI), the Celtic Interconnector plays an important role in strengthening Europe’s integrated energy system by enabling greater cross-border electricity flows and supporting the integration of renewable energy.
“The Celtic Interconnector is a landmark project for European energy infrastructure and a strong example of how interconnections support the electrification of Europe. This pull-in operation marks another important step in delivering a project that will strengthen energy resilience and enable greater integration of renewable power across borders,” said Pascal Radue, EVP PWR-Transmission Business Group, Nexans.
“With the start of this construction phase on the French side, Réseau de transport d’électricité (RTE) is reaching a decisive milestone in the Celtic Interconnector project—the first electricity interconnection between continental Europe and Ireland—supported by the European Union and its agency CINEA. This direct link strengthens security of supply, electrical solidarity, and the integration of renewable energies at the heart of the energy transition. Through this project, RTE, together with its partner EirGrid, reaffirms its role as a builder of tomorrow’s power grid and as a partner of a more sovereign Europe. I would like to thank all RTE teams, our Irish and European partners, as well as the local stakeholders mobilized at every stage,” said Régis Boigegrain, Managing Director of the Infrastructure Management Division and member of the Executive Board, RTE.
“Reaching this latest milestone on the French side is a significant step forward for the Celtic Interconnector, reflecting strong progress and continued close cooperation between our teams in France and Ireland,” said Michael Behan, Chief Financial Officer, EirGrid.
