Report on County Kildare Infrastructure

Transcription

Comhairle Contae Chill Dara
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL
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Comhairle Chontae Chill Dara
CONTENTS
1.0
INTRODUCTION
2.0
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
3.0
WATER AND WASTEWATER
4.0
GAS INFRASTRUCTURE
5.0
TELECOMS INFRASTRUCTURE
6.0
ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE
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1.0
INTRODUCTION
Population Characteristics
1.1
Kildare adjoins Dublin and together with Dublin, South Meath and North Wicklow,
it accounts for approximately 35% of the population of the country. The county
also adjoins the Midlands and South East Regions and has strong links with them
via the linked Gateway of Athlone-Tullamore-Mullingar in the Midlands and Carlow
town together with the hubs of Kilkenny and Wexford in the South East region.
Fig. 1 - County Kildare
1.2
Kildare is a strong entity in its own right and this is clearly setdown in the County
Development Plan 2005 – 2011. The population of the county has grown from
71,977 persons in 1971 to 163,944 in 2002. This latter level increased again by a
further 22,391 to 186,255 persons in 2006 and that trend is set to continue.
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1.3
There is an uneven distribution of population within the county. The northern area
of the county has approximately 47,000 persons living in the towns of Celbridge,
Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock. In the central section of the county the towns of
Naas, Sallins, Clane, Newbridge, Monasterevin, Kill and Kilcullen account for
approximately 62,000 persons. The southern section of the county is relatively
weak with approximately 9,000 persons in Athy and Castledermot but this
population is strengthened by the presence of Carlow (13,623) just across the
boundary to the south.
1.4
The population of the large urban centres is presented in Table 1 for the year
2006.
Urban Centre
Population
Leixlip
14,833
Newbridge & Environs
16,739
Naas
20,044
Celbridge
14,933
Maynooth
11,500
Athy
7,943
Kildare
8,791
Clane
6,106
Table 1: Population of large Urban Centres (2006)
1.5
The strategy adopted by Kildare County Council in the County Development Plan
is to group the centres to achieve greater economy of scale and to enhance
potential for development and to foster an increased level of sustainable growth in
County Kildare.
1.6
This is outlined in Fig. 2 which shows Maynooth, Celbridge, Kilcock, & Leixlip as a
Primary Dynamic Cluster in the north of the county. In the central area of the
county the towns of Naas, Newbridge & Kilcullen form another Primary Dynamic
Cluster, with Kildare and Monasterevin designated a Secondary Dynamic Cluster.
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Fig. 2 - Settlement Hierarchy (ref. County Development Plan)
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2.0
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
2.1
In terms of transport links, Kildare has significant strategic infrastructure (Fig. 3). It
has three motorway corridors comprising the M4 running east-west along the
northern boundary, the M7 running diagonally on a northeast-southwest axis
through the centre of the county, and the M9 running south from Naas-Kilcullen to
Carlow, Kilkenny & Waterford. The proposed Leinster Outer Orbital Route will run
north-south through the county to link up with the M7 / M9 at the interchange for
Kilcullen.
Fig. 3 - Transport Network in County Kildare
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M4 Corridor - North Kildare
2.2
The M4 corridor in the northern section of the county (Fig. 4) links Leixlip,
Maynooth and Kilcock with an indirect connection to Celbridge. Local travel is
facilitated by the R148 (the former N4). The M4 serves the Midlands and the
western regions and connects directly to the M50 with direct links to Dublin Port
and Dublin Airport.
In this context, the Primary Dynamic Cluster, comprising
Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, & Kilcock, has particular advantages through its
proximity to Dublin and ready access to transport links to the UK and mainland
Europe.
2.3
The railway line from Dublin to the Midlands and north west of the country is also
located in this corridor and the Western Commuter train service runs from
Maynooth to the centre of Dublin City.
Fig. 4 - M4 Corridor - North Kildare
2.4
These elements of infrastructure provide a high level of accessibility in North
Kildare. They provide effective transport linkages and they service centres such as
the National University of Ireland at Maynooth, Intel and Hewlett Packard at
Leixlip, and multiple industrial / business and commercial concerns throughout
the northern section.
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M7 Corridor - Central Kildare
2.5
The M7 serves Central Kildare (Fig. 5) and directly links Naas, Sallins, Newbridge,
Kildare and Monasterevin with an indirect link to Clane. Local travel in Central
Kildare is served by the R445 (the former N7) which links Naas – Newbridge –
Kildare and Monasterevin by way of a direct route which is to national standard
between the towns. The Dublin / Cork-Limerick railway line largely follows the M7
corridor and the R445 (the former N7) provides local transport linkages between
the towns. There is a Commuter train service from Monasterevin via Kildare,
Newbridge and Naas / Sallins to the centre of Dublin City.
Fig. 5 - M7 Corridor - Central Kildare
2.6
These elements of infrastructure provide effective transport links and provide a
sound basis for interaction of industry, business and commercial activity
throughout Central Kildare.
2.7
The M7 serves the South and Mid-West Regions and, from its interchange with the
M9, it serves the South East Region. It links these routes with the M50 and the
combined effect is to provide ready access from the Primary Dynamic Cluster of
Naas, Newbridge, & Kilcullen to Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, Waterford (Belview)
Port & Rosslare Europort and makes available a choice of transport links to the
UK and mainland Europe.
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M9 Corridor - South Kildare
2.8
Recently, the extension of the M9 southwards (Fig. 6) from Kilcullen to east of Athy
and onwards to Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford has opened up a high level of
accessibility for South Kildare. Travel times have been significantly reduced and,
in providing a quality transport corridor, the area of South Kildare now has an
effective linkage with Central Kildare and with the South East Region. This
provides an element of infrastructure which will enable South Kildare and the M9
corridor to develop and grow.
Fig. 6 - M9 Corridor (opened December 2009)
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2.9
At Interchange
Z
there is a Link Road extending from Athy to the M9. This
provides Athy with a direct and convenient transport link to the M9 with onward
high-capacity, high speed connectivity to Dublin (to the north), and to the ports of
Rosslare and Waterford (to the south). In the case of Athy, and south Kildare in
general, the M9 together with the Athy Link Road provides an element of
infrastructure which has the potential to foster growth and promote development
in the southern area of the county.
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Leinster Outer Orbital Route
2.10
The Government and the NRA have completed the strategic planning for an Outer
Orbital Route (Fig. 7). The plan envisages that “once the major inter-urban motorways
are completed in 2010, planning would begin on what is being called the Leinster Outer Orbital
Route”.
Fig. 7 – Leinster Outer Orbital Route
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2.11
The proposed route is broadly planned to extend from Drogheda, Slane, Navan
and Naas & Kilcock so as to interconnect the arterial motorways/national routes
radiating from Dublin. These include;
2.12
•
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(Dublin - Belfast)
•
N2
(Dublin - Derry)
•
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(Dublin - Ballyshannon)
•
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(Dublin - Sligo & Galway)
•
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(Dublin - Limerick & Cork)
•
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(Naas - Waterford)
This route will be of particular significance to Kildare as it will provide a highcapacity quality element of transport infrastructure, independent of the Dublin
conurbation motorway system to complement the current high level of
accessibility to and from Dublin.
2.13
It will also provide an effective north-south link through Kildare and will bring the
enhanced accessibility of South Kildare into play thereby strengthening the
transport and development attractions of the county as a whole.
2.14
Kildare is already established as a primary distribution centre. The M4 corridor
provides access to the M50 giving ease of access to Dublin Airport, Dublin Port
and, indeed Drogheda Port, via the M1. The M7 corridor again provides ease of
access to the M50 and Dublin Port. The completion of the M9 will provide a high
class link to Waterford (Belview) Port and Rosslare Europort creating new
opportunities throughout Kildare and putting Athy / south Kildare on a par with the
rest of the county in terms of accessibility to markets and commercial interests via
a transport infrastructure which provides high capacity, high speed connectivity.
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2.15
The north-south linkage by way of a high capacity route will connect the M4
Corridor in North Kildare with the M7 Corridor in Central Kildare and the M9
Corridor in South Kildare. This will integrate the planned Settlement Hierarchy
(Fig. 8) for the county and will enable Kildare to sustain existing development,
attract new development and compete with the Dublin Region for indigenous and
inward investment.
Fig. 8 - Settlement Hierarchy and main road infrastructure
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Rail Connections
2.16
The Main-line and Commuter rail service network is presented in Fig. 9. The Mainline services provide transport links to the regions and to urban centres extending
south from Sligo to Ballina, Westport, Athlone, Galway, Limerick, Tralee, Cork,
Kilkenny and Waterford.
Fig. 9 – Intercity & Main Line and Commuter Rail Services in Kildare
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2.17
There are two Commuter Rail services in County Kildare. The Western Commuter
service currently extends from Maynooth and Leixlip to Dublin City Centre with a
limited service operating from Kilcock.
The South Western Commuter service
operates from Monasterevin via Kildare, Newbridge, Naas / Sallins, and
Hazelhatch / Celbridge to the centre of Dublin. Both systems interact with the Dart
and Luas systems in Dublin and this combination, together with the Dublin Bus
network, provide effective rail transport links between Kildare and Dublin. Intercity
connections are also provided at the terminals of both commuter rail lines in
County Kildare.
Bus Connections
2.18
Kildare also has comprehensive bus services which are provided by Bus Eireann
at national level, by Dublin Bus at regional level, and by Kavanaghs and other
private bus operators, having services on the hour linking Newbridge and Naas
with Dublin City and Dublin Airport and also providing services to Waterford,
Limerick and Galway. In addition there is a local bus service in Naas.
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3.0
WATER AND WASTEWATER
3.1
Kildare effectively adjoins the Blessington Lakes and Poulaphuca Reservoir to the
east.
River Liffey
3.2
The River Liffey runs through Kildare for the greater portion of its length and on its
way it passes through Ballymore Eustace, Kilcullen, Newbridge, Naas, Clane,
Celbridge and Leixlip (Fig. 10).
Fig. 10 - Water Resources - River Liffey
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River Barrow
3.3
The headwaters of the River Barrow are in the Midland Region upstream of
Monasterevin. It flows southeastwards from Monasterevin (Fig. 11) and forms the
county boundary between Kildare and Laois. It then flows through Athy and on to
Carlow on its way to the sea via the Suir Estuary.
Fig. 11 - Water Resources - River Barrow
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3.4
Another feature of water in Kildare is the Curragh Aquifer which is categorised as a
Major Sand & Gravel Aquifer and extends to the south west from Naas (Fig. 12).
Major Sand &
Gravel Aquifer
Fig. 12 – The Curragh Aquifer
3.5
The Grand Canal also traverses North Kildare with a feeder link to Naas and
onward to Monasqterevin to link up with the Barrow.
3.6
These elements, and the fact that they either pass through or are close to the
major urban centres in the county, are particularly significant in terms of their
capacity for water supply for direct use, of their capacity for dilution / disposal of
treated wastewater, and of their potential for the supply and disposal of cooling
water for industry.
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Water Services Infrastructure – Potable Water
3.7
Approximately 95% of potable water supply in County Kildare is provided by two
main plants;
3.8
1)
Ballymore Eustace Drinking Water Treatment Plant
2)
Leixlip Drinking Water Treatment Plant
Kildare County Council had advanced plans to bring on stream a new substantial
drinking water treatment plant. This new facility will abstract an additional 30
mega-litres per day from the River Barrow near Athy. This will create further
flexibility in the supply throughout Kildare and will be of particular benefit to the
south of the county.
3.9
In addition, Kildare County Council has already commissioned well-fields that
provide drinking water from ground sources in the Monasterevin and Rathangan
areas of the county.
3.10
The location of the various sources / water treatment plants (Fig. 13) provide
geographic diversity and a corresponding high level of security and reliability in
terms of supply of adequate quantities of drinking water throughout the county.
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Wastewater Treatment
3.11
The county’s two main regional wastewater treatment plants are comparatively
modern and are located at Leixlip and Osberstown (Fig. 13). The Leixlip facility
receives effluent from the north of the county and the Osberstown facility services
the mid-regions of the county. Both of these facilities are planned to have further
capacity and treatment enhancements in the near future, along with the
wastewater plant for Kildare Town.
3.12
The existing Osberstown Plant caters for 80,000 population equivalent (pe) and
this is to be upsized to 130,000 pe. In the case of Leixlip the upgrade will cater for
150,000 pe at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Wastewater Treatment Plant at
Athy is currently being upgraded to 22,500 pe and the plant at Kildare Town is
being upgraded to 9,700 pe with further phasing to bring it up to 28,000 pe and
then 42,000 pe.
3.13
Each of the smaller urban centres has individual treatment plants which provide
satisfactory levels of treated wastewater throughout the county (Fig. 13).
3.14
Recent refurbishment and upgrade work has been carried out on the Sewer
Network for the Leixlip Catchment. Upgrades to the network and pumping stations
for the Middle Catchment are planned to follow further improvements to the
treatment capacity for the Osberstown Plant.
3.15
Recent
upgrades
have
already
been
completed
in
Castledermot
and
Monasterevin.
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Fig. 13: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants in Kildare
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4.0
GAS INFRASTRUCTURE
Overall Context
4.1
The Cork – Dublin gas pipeline is a Ø 450 mm (18”) high pressure gas
transmission pipeline. It was designed to transport gas from the Kinsale Head Gas
Field to Dublin and was subsequently extended northwards to Dundalk. This
pipeline (Fig. 13) runs through Kildare extending from Carlow in the south, then
east of Castledermot and east of Naas on its way to Kingswood at Baldonnel on
the southern outskirts of Dublin.
Fig. 13 - National Transmission System - Bord Gáis Networks
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4.2
Subsequently, as the Kinsale Head Gas Field depleted, a Ø 600 mm (24”) high
pressure gas transmission pipeline was constructed between Scotland and
Ireland with a landfall at Loughshinny in north Dublin. This was linked back to the
Cork – Dublin pipeline to feed gas southwards. The effect is that gas supplies are
assured along the Cork – Dublin pipeline.
4.3
More recently, a second Gas interconnector pipeline was constructed between
Ireland and Scotland and at the same time a Ø 750 mm high pressure pipeline
was constructed to extend from north Dublin westward to Galway and south to
Limerick to link up with the Cork – Dublin pipeline at Mitchelstown. In addition a
spur was extended northwards from east Galway to northwest Mayo to provide a
connection with the Corrib Offshore Gas Field currently being developed.
4.4
The effect of these developments is that the Cork – Dublin pipeline is now part of
the National Transmission System with access to supplies from the North Sea
and, indirectly, from northern Europe, via the UK National Transmission System. It
will also have gas from the Corrib Offshore Gas Field. The combined effect is a
secure and reliable gas supply to County Kildare with resilience at both national
and international levels.
Gas Transmission Infrastructure - Kildare
4.5
In a local context, Kildare has the benefit of;
a) The Cork-Dublin transmission pipeline with high pressure (70 bar) offtakes to Athy in the south and to Naas in Central Kildare (Fig. 14).
b) North Kildare has a high pressure (70 bar) off-take to Leixlip.
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Fig. 14 - Bord Gáis Transmission Infrastructure in Kildare
4.6
These high-pressure spur lines provide the launching pads for a Gas Distribution
System serving all the main towns in Kildare.
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Gas Distribution Infrastructure - Kildare
4.7
In the North County the towns of Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock are served from
the Distribution System and Celbridge (together with Leixlip) is on a Distribution
Loop.
A pipeline off the loop extends south westwards to serve Clane and
Prosperous and runs from Clane south to Sallins and Naas to form a large supply
loop which links into the Transmission Pipeline at Naas.
Fig. 15 - Bord Gáis Transmission & Distribution Infrastructure in Kildare
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4.8
In the north-west of the county a spur pipeline from the Galway Ring services
Enfield (County Meath) and Johnstown in County Kildare.
4.9
Central Kildare is served from the Transmission Pipeline at Naas which is linked to
Newbridge, Kildare and Monasterevin.
4.10
South Kildare is served from the Transmission Pipeline to Athy. Athy itself is on a
Gas Distribution Network which is linked northwards to Monasterevin to form a
loop to Naas via Kildare and Newbridge (Fig. 15).
4.11
Kilcullen is served from a spur Distribution Lime which also provides gas to
Ballymore Eustace.
4.12
In effect, all of the larger and some of the smaller towns in Kildare have a reliable,
resilient and secure gas supply.
System.
There is reserve capacity in the Distribution
However, capacity issues can change with time and with new
developments and issues relating to supply, pressure and capacity need to be
taken up with Bord Gáis Networks at the earliest opportunity.
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5.0
TELECOMS INFRASTRUCTURE
International Connectivity
5.1
Ireland is well served with International Telecoms Connectivity via a number of
sub-sea fibre optic cable systems as shown in Fig. 16 below;
Fig.16 – International Sub-sea Fibre - Irish Sea
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5.2
The systems are detailed as follows;
1.
Hibernia Atlantic – Installed in 2001, Hibernia Atlantic is the most recently
installed cable between Ireland and the UK and particularly Ireland and the
US.
The system extends from Boston in the US via the north coast of
Ireland and south through the North Channel to a point south and west of
the Isle of Man where it turns eastwards to Southport UK. This is looped
from Southport to Clonshaugh in Dublin and from there, via the Irish Sea,
Georges Channel and the Celtic Sea, before it veers westwards to Halifax,
Nova Scotia in Canada. Hibernia has just commissioned a link from the
Northern Segment to Northern Ireland and has linked this down to Dublin
to further strengthen the network. The Hibernia Atlantic system, being post
2000, is not affected by PMD (Polarised Mode Dispersion) and can support
multiple 10 Gbit/s (Gigabit per second) waves.
2.
Global Crossing GC1 and GC2 – These cable systems from South East
Ireland to Devon / Cornwall tie into AC 1 and AC 2 Atlantic Crossing – UK
to US. The links were installed in 1999.
3.
BT/Esat 1 and BT/Esat 2 – Wexford to Cornwall and Dublin to Liverpool
form a looped system. The networks were installed in 1997 and 1998.
4.
Solas (Cable & Wireless and Eircom) – The Solas cable from Wexford to
Wales was installed in 1999.
5.
Sirius South (Liberty Media and NTL) – This cable runs from Portmarnock
to Liverpool. It was installed in 1999.
5.3
There are two new Ireland / UK cables planned, the Celtix Connect Cable (Sea
Fibre Networks) Dublin to Holyhead and the Eirgrid Cable from Meath to Deeside
(as part of the East West Electrical Interconnector Project). The Celtix Connect
Cable is due to go live in October 2010 and the Eirgrid Cable sometime in 2012.
These two new systems will have dark fibre offerings and provide a high level of
capacity.
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5.4
It is also notable that all of the cables existing and planned have their terminals
(PoPs) in Dublin. Connectivity to their cables in Dublin is via the T-50 Metro ring
and numerous other internal Dublin metro networks such as Aurora (BGE),
Complete Telecom, Colt, EU Networks, UPC and C & W.
5.5
The interconnection between the East Region, and specifically Kildare, with these
cable systems around Dublin and out of Ireland is of paramount importance in
terms of providing access to high bandwidth international connectivity.
Kildare County Connectivity
5.6
The following telecom providers have network infrastructure in Kildare;
1.
Eircom – County wide copper and fibre network
2.
UPC – Mixture of Terrestrial Network and Wireless Network
3.
BT – Fibre along railway to primary Business Centres
4.
Inland Fibre – Fibre along the Canals with extensions to major Business
Centres
5.
5.7
ESBT – Fibre along select power lines
The respective networks are detailed as follows;
Eircom
(i)
As the original state telecoms company, Eircom has significant
infrastructure in the county with exchanges in all of the major towns. The
Eircom network is extensive and reaches all business customers. Eircom
also provides DSL services in every significant urban centre in the county.
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UPC-NTL
(ii).
UPC-NTL provide telecoms services throughout the county and in various
urban centres and is one of the main business and residential providers.
UPC also uses fibre on the Inland Fibre Telecom network to link to Dublin.
It is UPC’s intention to invest in new rollout in the coming years and it is
expected that Kildare will benefit from this.
BT
(iii).
BT has fibre network along the railways with infrastructure branching out
from there to corporate users).
Inland Fibre Telecom
(iv).
Inland Fibre has installed fibre from Dublin (T-50) along the Grand Canal
linking Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock, Clane, Sallins and into Naas (Fig. 17).
The company intends to complete the loop by building from Naas along
the Royal Canal to Dublin (T-50). This link is due to be completed by
August 2010. The Inland Fibre network is an open-access dark-fibre
network on which any carrier or corporate customer can provide services
or lease fibre. With an extremely high fibre count IFTL can offer dark fibre
on a full resilient loop or on short point-to- point distances. A number of
telecoms companies are providing services in Kildare over the IFTL
network.
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Fig. 17 – IFTL network
(v).
ESBT – ESB Telecoms has a National Fibre Optic Network (NTFON). The
NTFON is constructed in a ‘Figure of Eight’ around Ireland (Fig. 18) and
also includes a spur from Carrick on Shannon to Buncrana. It comprises
48-core fibre and is wrapped on the ESB High Voltage Network.
The
network
traverses
Kildare
from southwest to northeast but,
to date, ESBT has not dropped
down to provide services but can
do so depending on customer
demand.
Fig. 18 - ESBT National Fibre
Optic Network
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5.8
The Table below summarises the telecoms infrastructure
Voice
Broadband
Eircom
√
√
UPC
√
√
High
Capacity
Bandwidth
Open
Access Dark
Fibre
√
√
√
√
BT
5.9
TV
√
Inland Fibre
√
ESBT
√
√
Other Operators such as Smart Telecom and Complete Telecom offer services
over the IFTL network as follows;
Voice
Broadband
√
√
Smart
TV
High
Capacity
Bandwidth
Open
Access Dark
Fibre
√
√
Complete
Department of Communications Energy and Natural Rresources –
National Broadband Scheme
5.10
DCENR is currently reviewing proposals to install fibre in existing ducts on certain
NRA roads as part of an overall development. The duct network on the M4 to the
Midlands starts in Kilcock and the duct network on the M7 towards Limerick / Cork
starts in Newbridge. The Inland Fibre Telecoms Network in Kildare is a logical tiein to bring telecoms traffic through Kildare and into Dublin.
Wireless
5.11
There are four main wireless operators who have infrastructure in the county
namely;
Vodafone
5.12
O2
Meteor
3
These operators have numerous masts throughout the county and also utilise the
original Eircom masts now owned by Towercom as well as utilising other third
party masts and roofspace.
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5.13
Kildare is also home to two of the most important mast sites in the country,
namely Cappagh and Dunmurry Hill. The Cappagh and Dunmurry Hill masts are
primary collection masts for telecoms traffic from the west of the country into
Dublin. It is planned to extend fibre connections to these masts in the medium
term and this will greatly enhance wireless telecoms in the county.
5.14
In addition to the four main mobile providers there are a number of smaller
wireless operators at local level.
5.15
In terms of new technology and particularly WiMax, Imagine has commenced its
national rollout. Intel is a major supporter of WiMax and its presence in Kildare
should be a catalyst to early rollout in the county.
5.16
In summary the North and Mid Kildare regions are well served with telecoms
networks. The Inland Fibre open access network is unique in that it can provide
Dark Fibre on an open access basis. The links into the Dublin T-50 effectively put
Kildare on a par with Dublin in terms of cost and connectivity. Open access
resilient dark fibre also provides a platform for large corporates and very high end
users to locate in the county. It also provides one of the key elements for data
centre development.
5.17
In a local context Kildare is well served at all levels. Rollout and improvements of
existing networks will further enhance the connectivity and service offerings in the
county. In addition to this the National Broadband scheme is underway to provide
coverage in certain problem areas. This will enhance connectivity in a number of
areas in Kildare that may not have sufficient services at present.
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6.0
ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Electricity - National
6.1
The All-Ireland Transmission System is shown in Fig. 19. The total generating
capacity in Ireland is just over 5,500 MW with peak demand in the region of 5,000
MW, there being little surplus generating capacity at peak demand. Obviously, the
Fig. 19 - Eirgrid National Transmission Network
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area of peak demand is Dublin and its environs which accounts for 60% of
national demand. This demand is served by Moneypoint and Tarbert linked to
Woodland in Meath and Dunstown in Kildare by twin 400 kV lines. The balance of
the requirement comes from the four main Dublin generating stations.
6.2
Both the Transmission Network and the Generation Capacity in Ireland have been
under strain due to the huge economic growth in the past 15 years. Upgrades and
new generation have barely kept pace with demand particularly due to the long
planning lead times for upgrades and new plants. The current economic downturn
provides some respite and will allow both transmission and new generation to
catch up with demand. The new East-West (Ireland / UK) Interconnector (EWIC) is
due to go live in 2012 and will bring another 500 MW on stream. Transmission
lines are being upgraded to coincide with this amongst other developments.
Electricity - Kildare
6.3
The presence of Dunstown and Woodland make Kildare one of the best served
locations in terms of transmission network (Fig. 20) and has the following notable
features:
1).
One of the twin 400 kV lines from Moneypoint terminates in Dunstown in
Kildare.
2).
Dunstown steps down from 400 kV to 220 kV and transmits power through
Kildare and into Dublin via a network of 220 kV lines.
3).
Woodland, in south Meath, is the terminal for second 400 kV line from
Moneypoint and similarly steps down from 400 kV to 220 kV to serve
Meath, Kildare and Dublin.
4).
Woodland in Meath and Dunstown in Kildare are linked through Maynooth
and form a loop with a strong point at Maynooth.
5).
Maynooth is linked to Dublin Generation.
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Fig. 20 - Eirgrid transmission network in Kildare
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6.4
Kildare is traversed by the highest voltage lines of the Eirgrid Transmission
System and with the benefit of an extensive network comprising 400 kV, 220 kV
and 110 kV power lines, the county has the potential to be in a position to meet
electricity demands with the minimum of network reinforcement.
6.5
In the Transmission Development Plan 2008 – 2012, Eirgrid included some grid
reinforcements to increase the security and reliability of supply so as to meet the
increasing electricity demand of industrial, commercial and domestic customers in
County Kildare and west Wicklow. On completion, the requisite works will provide
a strategic long-term electricity network which will adequately cater for the growth
and development in County Kildare and west Wicklow.
6.6
As it is, there is a strong network comprised of 400 kV, 220 kV and 110 kV power
lines in north and central Kildare. This is supported by major transformer stations
at Dunstown (east of Newbridge) and at Maynooth (Taghadoe). These are also
linked to the transformer station at Woodland in neighbouring south Meath. Apart
from providing secure and resilient power the transmission and transformer
station infrastructure provides excellent opportunities for power generation, from
both conventional and renewable sources.
6.7
The availability of power is determined by system balancing at national level.
However, it is known that at the present time there is significant reserve power
available at Naas in Central Kildare and the same situation probably exists in
North Kildare. This is particularly advantageous for industries wishing to locate in
Kildare. However, whereas there is a high level of potential it is important for any
high demand customer to make contact with Eirgrid at the earliest possible stage
so as to be assured that power is available to the required level and load profile.
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Report on County Kildare Infrastructure

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