An Bord Pleanala has given the green light to the North-South electricity Interconnector.
It’s aimed at allowing electricity to flow between the Republic and Northern Ireland, and includes almost 3 hundred pylons across counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.
Hundreds of objections had been lodged against this massive project, which also went through a public hearing lasting nearly three months.
An Bord Pleanala cites a number of reasons in today’s decision.
It says the interconnector it will remove existing restrictions that limit cross border electricity flows, and provide benefits to the economies of both jurisdictions and for individual consumers.
It also says that having considered the alternatives, a 400 kilovolt overhead line is the most appropriate and cost effective solution for current requirements.
Authorities in Northern Ireland haven’t yet approved the proposed section of the project planned across the border.
Environment Correspondent with the Irish Independent Paul Melia says one of the objectors’ main concerns has been addressed:
