700 MW Power Link Celtic Between France and Ireland Progressing
Paris (France) / Dublin (Ireland) - Construction of the planned Celtic Interconnector power link between France and Ireland continues to advance on both sides. With the start of key infrastructure works in Brittany, the 700 MW large-scale project – which will provide Ireland’s first direct electricity connection to mainland Europe – is entering a new implementation phase.
Status and progress in France
In France, the focus is currently on the onshore grid connection. The approximately 40-kilometre cable corridor connects the future landfall site near Cléder with the converter station in La Martyre. There, the transmitted direct current (DC) will be converted into alternating current (AC) and fed into the national transmission grid.
The work includes civil engineering, cable protection, and transitional coastal infrastructure, as well as technical preparation of the grid connection. The actual installation of the roughly 500-kilometre submarine cable through the Celtic Sea is planned as a separate project phase and will follow later.
Irish section also making progress
At the same time, construction on the Irish side is also advancing significantly. According to grid operator EirGrid, more than 60% of the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) onshore cables have already been installed. In addition, the first offshore cable sections of around 84 kilometres have already been laid.
A central role is played by the converter station in Ballyadam in County Cork, where major construction work is underway. This is where the conversion between DC and AC will take place. In addition, the Gogganstown substation is being built to connect the system to the Irish transmission grid. Several large power transformers have already been delivered and installed.
Security of supply and electricity trade in focus – EU project of strategic importance
With the Celtic Interconnector, transmission system operators RTE and EirGrid are creating the first direct electricity link between France and Ireland. The line will enable bidirectional power flows of up to 700 MW in the future.
The goal is to strengthen Ireland’s energy security, better integrate renewable energy into European electricity markets, and facilitate cross-border energy trading.
The project is one of the European Union’s Projects of Common Interest (PCI) and receives EU funding. The EU aims for every member state to have sufficient cross-border transmission capacity by 2030 to export at least 15% of its installed generation capacity. Commissioning is currently planned for 2028.
About the Celtic Interconnector between Ireland and France
The Celtic Interconnector is a roughly 575-kilometre high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link between France and Ireland with a transmission capacity of 700 MW. Official construction began in 2023 after completion of the planning and permitting phase.
The system consists of around 500 kilometres of submarine cable through the Celtic Sea and onshore connection routes in both countries. It is complemented by converter stations at the grid connection points, which enable conversion between AC and DC.
The joint project by RTE and EirGrid represents the first direct electricity connection between France and Ireland and is intended to strengthen European market integration and long-term energy security.
Source: IWR Online, 06 May 2026
