Stakeholder consultation around the Celtic Interconnector

Year

2020

Organisation

EirGrid

Description

EirGrid applied its “Six-step approach to grid development” placing importance on stakeholder engagement, open and transparent communication, and acknowledging the social impact of project assessment and decision-making for the Celtic Interconnector project. This approach has enhanced the innovation and robustness of project development.


Objectives:

  • Consulted communities and key stakeholders early in project development phase
  • Encouraged ongoing community feedback by holding open evenings at several locations and at different times of day and introducing innovative communication methods
  • Ensured open communication of project updates for technical and non-technical audiences 

Main information:

The Celtic Interconnector will connect Ireland’s grid with continental Europe for the first time. It is the first large-scale multi-partner project to which EirGrid’s ‘Six-step approach’ was broadly applied. In order to achieve objectives, EirGrid assigned a dedicated Community Liaison Officer as a point-of-contact; created accessible online resources; produced a consultation report after each ‘step’ of the approach and uses results to guide the project; and improved visual communication by utilising virtual 3D modelling. The outcome has been very valuable in the ongoing evaluation, adaptation and revision of the ‘Six-step approach’ which is applied across all projects.

Additional information:

EirGrid is the transmission system operator in Ireland and one of the TSOs leading the project.

RGI gratefully acknowledges the EU LIFE funding support:

EU LIFE funding support Logo

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the LIFE Programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.