Saturday, 25 October 2025
Ireland and Spain Begin Talks on Future Electricity Interconnector Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, has confirmed that Ireland and Spain have entered preliminary talks on the development of a potential electricity interconnector linking the two countries’ power grids. The discussions, which took place this week during Energy and Environment Council […]
Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, has confirmed that Ireland and Spain have entered preliminary talks on the development of a potential electricity interconnector linking the two countries’ power grids.
The discussions, which took place this week during Energy and Environment Council meetings in Luxembourg, mark an early step in exploring greater electricity cooperation between Ireland and continental Europe.
Minister O’Brien said that Ireland is already recognised as one of Europe’s leaders in integrating renewable energy into its electricity grid. Referring to the Ireland–France interconnector, which is due to be electrified in 2027, he noted that attention is now turning to expanding links even further.
“We’ve had good discussions with our Spanish colleagues and we’re working towards a memorandum of understanding in the spring of next year,” the Minister said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Hopefully this will be another interconnector that we will have to continental Europe in the mid-2030s.”
If progressed, the Ireland–Spain connection would mark the country’s second major electricity interconnector with mainland Europe, further diversifying energy access and strengthening renewable energy integration.
In an interview with RTÉ News, Minister O’Brien said that while costs have not yet been confirmed, the project could be co-funded by the European Union, Spain, and Ireland.
“Things will have to be worked through on exact locations and things like that,” he said, adding that the two sides are working toward finalising the memorandum in Spring 2026.
No final decision has been made on routes, technical design, or project scope, as discussions remain in the exploratory stage.
Minister O’Brien’s meeting with Spain’s Secretary of State for Energy, Joan Groizard, took place alongside the Energy and Environment Council in Luxembourg.
Prior to that event, both officials co-chaired a meeting of the “Friends of Renewables” group, a coalition of 15 EU Member States working with the European Commission on the upcoming European Grids Package.
The group’s discussions centred on improving interconnections between EU electricity grids and advancing the REPowerEU plan, which aims to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by 2028 and accelerate Europe’s clean energy transition.
Ireland’s existing and planned interconnectors play a key role in integrating renewable energy into the national grid. With wind generation providing a large share of Irish electricity, interconnectors allow surplus renewable power to be exported while ensuring energy can be imported when domestic generation dips.
The proposed Ireland–Spain link, if realised, would enhance this flexibility and reinforce Europe’s move toward a more connected, resilient, and decarbonised energy system.
While the Ireland–Spain interconnector remains at the discussion stage, both governments view it as a strategic opportunity to deepen cooperation on renewable energy.
Work in the coming months will focus on drafting the memorandum of understanding, assessing potential routes, and exploring funding options with the European Commission.
If successful, the project could become operational in the mid-2030s, complementing Ireland’s growing network of clean energy links to Europe.
Status: Preliminary talks; memorandum of understanding expected Spring 2026
Parties involved: Ireland’s Darragh O’Brien and Spain’s Joan Groizard
Timeline: Potential completion in mid-2030s
Funding: Possible EU co-funding with Spain and Ireland
Context: Linked to European Grids Package and REPowerEU goals
By the mid-2030s, Ireland aims to have multiple interconnections linking it to continental Europe. Alongside the France–Ireland Celtic Interconnector, the potential Ireland–Spain project would form part of a pan-European electricity network designed to move renewable energy efficiently between regions with different strengths in wind, solar, and hydro generation.
This vision reflects a future in which energy flows are continental rather than national, ensuring that clean energy can reach where it’s needed most.
The announcement of talks between Ireland and Spain marks the start of an ambitious but pragmatic exploration of how Europe can better share renewable energy resources.
Although still at the planning stage, the proposed interconnector reflects Ireland’s growing leadership in renewable integration and its commitment to working with European partners to achieve shared climate goals.
If advanced, the project would strengthen the security, flexibility, and sustainability of Ireland’s electricity system, while contributing to Europe’s broader transition toward a fully interconnected, carbon-neutral energy future.
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