The Greenlink Interconnector links EirGrid’s Great Island substation in County Wexford, Ireland, to National Grid’s Pembroke substation in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The system allows electricity to flow in either direction based on each country’s supply and demand, enhancing energy reliability and flexibility.
Construction began in January 2022, and the interconnector commenced commercial operations in February 2025. Siemens Energy built two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations, while Sumitomo Electric provided HVDC cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables. The cable network includes 24 kilometers of onshore cables in Ireland, 6 kilometers in Wales, and 160 kilometers of submarine cables across the Irish Sea.
Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien TD, inaugurated the interconnector at an event in Enniscorthy. The project is expected to strengthen energy security, support renewable energy integration, and contribute to more stable electricity prices in both nations.
Greenlink CEO James O’Reilly stated: “It will increase security of supply, which is very topical at the moment, for Ireland and the United Kingdom, it will increase the penetration of renewable energy on both Grids, and it will reduce wholesale electricity prices. The last number of years have shown it is vital for all European countries to have a diversified energy mix, and this interconnector will bring benefits for Ireland, Britain and the wider European community.”
The Greenlink Interconnector supports the transition to cleaner energy by facilitating the efficient exchange of electricity between Ireland and Great Britain. It aligns with efforts to diversify energy sources and enhance grid resilience, benefiting consumers and communities in both regions. The project’s completion marks a significant step toward sustainable energy infrastructure in Europe.
