EirGrid Seeks Views On New Substations For North Wicklow

Powering Up Wicklow is a critical programme of works that will strengthen key electricity infrastructure in Wicklow.

The existing electricity infrastructure in Wicklow is at risk of reaching its capacity limit.

What is the North Wicklow Reinforcement project?  

The best solution for North Wicklow has been identified as a new 220/110kV substation in the Kilpeddar area and a 110/38kV/MV substation in the Greystones/Delgany area.

The North Wicklow Reinforcement Project will reinforce the electricity grid in North Wicklow, ensuring sufficient capacity is available for future increased demand.

North Wicklow Reinforcement  Overview Map

All of the project details, including a project brochure and detailed reports, are available to view and download on our website at www.EirGrid.ie/Wicklow 

EirGrid’s Framework for Grid Development 

Our Public Engagement Strategy commits to engaging with our stakeholders in the development of projects like this. We follow a six-step process and are currently in Step 3.

Step 2

During Step 2, EirGrid identified the need to reinforce the electricity grid in North Wicklow to address this growing need and future proof capacity. 

The increase in demand is being driven by several sectors, including:

• Integration of renewable energy connections.

• Commercial and industrial development.

• Residential housing; and

• Electrification of heat (heat pumps) and transportation (electric vehicles and public transport).

A shortlist of technology and location options in the Greystones//Delgany/Kilpedder area were identified. 

Step 3 – current step
The best performing technology solution was identified early in step 3 through a multi criteria assessment (MCA) as the following: 
 

• A new 110kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Substation close to the Greystones demand centre

• A new 220 kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Substation in the Kilpedder area

• A 110 kV underground cable connecting the new substations to each other. 

You can read more about how these technology decisions were made here

The remaining focus of Step 3 is to determine where this infrastructure could be suitably located.

What is happening now?

A number of zones were brought through a Multi Criteria Assessment (MCA) to identify which could be potentially suitable to areas to build a proposed new 220kV substation and a proposed new 110 kV substation in the Greystones/Delgany/Kilpeddar area.

Following the MCA, two zones have been identified by EirGrid as potential locations for a 220kV substation in the area. One zone has been identified as potentially suitable for a 110 kV substation. 

You can read more about how these zones were selected in the Step 3 report available to view and download on the project website www.EirGrid.ie/Wicklow. 

What is a substation? An electricity substation is a key part of power grid infrastructure. It takes high voltage electricity from power stations and reduces it to a safer, lower voltage. This allows the power to then be transmitted to homes and businesses. Substations help to control the flow of electricity, ensuring a safe and stable supply.

What is a GIS substation? The letters GIS stand for Gas Insulated Switchgear, which means most of the electrical equipment is enclosed inside a building rather than being located outdoors. This makes the substation more compact, and reduces the visual impact of the infrastructure. 

Zone 1 - 110 kV Substation

A 110 kV GIS substation supplies electricity locally to homes, businesses and community facilities. 

A GIS substation of this size typically occupies approximately 0.5 to 2 hectares and generally resembles a modern industrial or utility building. 

Zone 1 

Map of Zone 1

Due to the growing electricity demand in Greystones, there is a requirement for the 110kV GIS substation to be close to the village. One zone within the project study area has been identified as a suitable area to build this substation. 

The boundaries of Zone 1 can be identified by the following constraints, which are situated outside of the proposed zone: 

• To the east, the N11 motorway

• To the west, Farrankelly Village

• To the north, the Farrankelly Road (R774) and 

• To the south, Glen Road (R762)

Two options have been identified for the 220 kV substation:  

Zone Options - 220 kV Substation

A 220 kV GIS substation is part of the national electricity network, helping to carry large amounts of power over long distances across the country. Electricity is then transferred to 110 kV substations which supply the local area. A GIS substation of this size typically occupies approximately 2 to 3 hectares and generally resembles a modern industrial or utility building. 

Zone A 

The boundaries of Zone A can be seen in the map below: 

Map of Zone A

Zone B 

The boundaries of Zone B can be seen in the map below: 

Map of Zone B

Connecting Circuit 

A circuit will be required to connect the 110 kV substation in Zone 1, to the 220 kV substation in either Zone A or Zone B. 

The Multi Criteria Assessment has determined that an underground cable is the best technical solution for this connecting circuit. You can read more about this assessment here

EirGrid has not yet identified a route for this cable, but feedback received during this stage of public consultation will be taken into consideration during the route design process. 

EirGrid will engage with the community at the next stage of the project, ahead of finalisation of the cable route.

Have your say 

EirGrid is now holding a public consultation, seeking feedback on the proposals outlined above. The feedback received during the consultation will be taken on board, reviewed and considered during the design process. 

In parallel to this public consultation EirGrid’s Agricultural Liaison Officers (ALOs) will be engaging with landowners in the substation zones to discuss potential site locations.

The public consultation will take place from Tuesday 20 October to Friday 11 December 2026.

You can respond to the public consultation by completing the questionnaire on this website. 

Alternatively, you can also respond to the public consultation via the following options:

• In person at one of our public information events 

• By post to:
  North Wicklow Reinforcement Project
  EirGrid Plc
  The Oval, 160 Shelbourne Road 
  Dublin 4 
  D04 FW28

Information Events

Throughout the consultation, EirGrid is holding a series of drop in public information events. Visit one of our events at the following locations across the proposed routes to find out more and meet and speak to the team: