Planning Permission Boosted as EU Fast-Tracks Cross-Border Power Projects
The EU is accelerating planning permission for major cross-border power connections to cut soaring energy costs and enhance grid efficiency urgently.
With electricity prices across the EU more than double those in the US and China, the European Commission aims to fast-track eight critical cross-border transmission projects under the Energy Highways initiative. This acceleration addresses years of fragmented grid planning and underinvestment that have hindered the integration of renewable energy sources, causing power to be wasted and forcing reliance on fossil fuels.
One landmark project benefiting from this push is the Celtic Interconnector, an undersea power cable connecting Ireland and France. This infrastructure will enable the transfer of 700 megawatts of electricity—enough to supply approximately 450,000 homes—directly linking Ireland’s grid with continental Europe. This connection not only diversifies energy supply sources but also supports Ireland’s climate goals and helps stabilise electricity prices by integrating renewables efficiently.
By improving cross-border grid capacity, the EU expects these developments to generate an estimated €40 billion annually in cost savings and add around €18 billion to the region’s economy by 2030. Enhanced network efficiency will reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and facilitate more effective use of clean energy, crucial for flood-risk developments and other sensitive projects requiring an An Bord Pleanála decision that considers environmental impact.
The fast-tracking efforts include expediting planning permission processes to overcome delays from material contravention disputes and complex housing scheme approvals linked to infrastructure siting. This comprehensive grid expansion aligns with the EU’s 2030 target of ensuring at least 15% of installed electricity capacity can flow cross-border, thereby fostering competition and security of supply across member states.
Local community engagement is emphasised, as seen with Ireland’s Celtic Interconnector project, where a community benefit fund supports regional development around the Knockraha, Cork connection site. Such inclusive approaches help smooth planning permission hurdles and bolster public support for these energy highways vital for Europe’s sustainable future.
Without swift action, the Commission warns that nearly half of the needed cross-border transmission capacity by 2030 will remain unbuilt, risking the loss of 310 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity by 2040—equivalent to almost half of the EU’s 2023 power consumption. Therefore, accelerating planning permission and construction is essential not just for economic gains but for meeting ambitious environmental and energy commitments.
The Commission’s draft document underlines that the expansion of grid capacity is critical for leveraging new technologies like AI and data centres that demand reliable power supply, indicating the strategic economic role these infrastructure upgrades will play beyond mere energy concerns.
In summary, the fast-tracking of planning permission for cross-border power projects, especially the Celtic Interconnector, marks a decisive shift towards a more interconnected, resilient, and low-carbon European power system. These initiatives address material contravention issues by ensuring coherent planning and regulatory alignment to meet pressing climate and energy challenges.
Originally reported in Irish Examiner on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:24:00 +0000. Full story
