Eirgrid have written to landowners in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath offering them €50,000 for each pylon built on their land.
The national grid operator made the offer on Wednesday as it bids to complete a high-powered electricity line linking the Republic and the North.
The company hopes to begin construction of the North-South interconnector, which will run from County Meath to County Tyrone, shortly as the project must be completed by 2026.
In a statement issued to Northern Sound, EirGrid has recommenced landowner engagement on the North-South Interconnector Project by writing directly to almost 400 landowners in relation to hosting infrastructure for this strategic infrastructure project in counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.
Following an initial letter last month, which set about informing landowners that EirGrid’s team of agricultural liaison officers (ALOs) would be contacting them in the coming weeks, a second letter has now been issued this week setting out specific details to each landowner around the infrastructure proposed on their landholding, and the compensation payment being offered. Michael Mahon, Chief Infrastructure Officer for EirGrid, said: “The North-South Interconnector is a strategic project for Ireland, and is critical to ensuring we have an electricity grid that is fit for purpose, provides security of supply, and is robust and capable of facilitating renewable clean energy into the future.
“This project will connect the electricity grids in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland via a 400kV overhead cable, with 103km of electricity line traversing lands across Meath, Cavan and Monaghan supported by towers. As part of this voluntary option agreement process, a fair offer of compensation for an easement has now been issued directly to these landowners, and our team of ALOs will be engaging directly with them in the coming weeks to answer any questions they may have. “Plans are also in place to liaise with those homeowners situated within 200 meters of the proposed electricity line who will receive proximity payments.”
Cllr Seamus Coyle believes opposition to the proposed mast is as "strong" as ever before and that this payment offer is completely against signed instructions to Eirgrid that all landowners were not to be contacted individually. Meanwhile speaking to Northern Sound the energy minister, Eamon Ryan says if this interconnector isn't embraced the region will suffer with investment in the future.
