Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment Public Consultation Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project

Summary

On 12 August 2024, the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage, received a transboundary EIA screening statement in relation to the proposed Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project development, which was conducted on behalf of the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State at the pre-application stage. The transboundary screening process identified potential transboundary issues for Ireland relating to impacts on commercial fishing, marine mammals and turtles, other marine users and shipping and navigation.

Subsequently, on 31 January 2025, the United Kingdom’s Planning Inspectorate (PINS) wrote to the Minister to invite Ireland to participate in transboundary EIA consultation as the Examining Authority had accepted the planning application for the proposed development. This public consultation is being held in accordance with article 132 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 – 2024.

Additionally, following the acceptance of the planning application a second transboundary screening was conducted on 10 January 2025. This transboundary screening process concluded that potential transboundary environmental impacts on Ireland were not likely to be significant. However, in keeping with the procedures for similar developments and the initial screening results, a public consultation is being held to give members of the public an opportunity to make submissions on the proposed development.

Why is this consultation being undertaken?

In accordance with the provisions of the 1991 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (“the Espoo Convention”), transboundary States are required to engage in transboundary consultation, including with members of the public, in respect of projects likely to have significant effects on the environment of neighbouring States as part of the environmental impact assessment of a proposed development. For this purpose, the transboundary State in whose territory the project is intended to be carried out is required to send to the affected State, no later than when informing its own public, a description of the project and any available information on its possible transboundary impact.

As noted above, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage recently received information in the form of a letter of notification dated 31 January 2025 from PINS, relating to an application for development consent for the proposed Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project development that is now in the pre-examination stage of their development consent order process.

The proposed development is comprised of (but not limited to) a subsea electrical cable to be installed from the boundary of the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to a proposed landfall site at Cornborough Range in Devon, UK. The subsea cable comprises approximately 370km of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables in two bundled pairs. From the landfall, the cable is routed onshore for approximately 14km to two converter stations on land to the west of Alverdiscott 400kV substation. The converter stations would be connected to Alverdiscott 400kV substation by High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) cables. A replacement 400kV Substation at Alverdiscott may be included in the Proposed Development.

The UK Secretary of State has determined that the proposed development requires an environmental impact assessment and consequently they have conducted a transboundary EIA screening. The initial transboundary screening exercise determined that the proposed development may have transboundary environmental impacts in Ireland that included significant impacts on commercial fishing, fish and shellfish, marine mammals and turtles, other marine users and shipping and navigation. The second transboundary screening concluded that the transboundary environmental impacts would not be significant impacts.

Screening Assessment

The letter of 31 January 2025 provides details of where further information on the proposed development can be found on the PINS website – see also link provided under “How to participate” below.

How to Participate

All documentation related to the development consent application for the proposed development, including additional or amending documentation accepted at the discretion of the PINS, is available to view on its website at:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010164

Members of the public may wish to visit the Dublin City Council public consultation portal to view correspondence from the PINS, digital copies of extracts from the applicant’s Environmental Statement; associated documents and links provided by the PINS to the full Environmental Statement and all other documentation relating to the development consent application for the proposed development.

https://engage.dublincity.ie/en-IE/projects/xlinks-morocco-uk-power-project

The public consultation notice should also be available to view in the office of the Planning Section of each local authority nationwide during office hours, by appointment if required.

A copy of these documents are available for inspection, or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during office hours at the office of each local authority nationwide. Links to all documents will also be made available online by each local authority. Please contact your local authority for further details.

Making submissions or observations

Submissions or observations should be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate UK at xlinks@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Deadlines for submissions or observations

The public consultation period is open from 6 March 2025. The deadline for the receipt of written submissions or observations under this transboundary consultation process is close of business on 17 April 2025 at the latest. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will not accept submissions or observations in relation to the project.

Documents

Documents are available below.

What happens next

Submissions are made directly to the PINS, therefore neither the Department nor any planning authorities will be receiving submissions. Submissions will be reviewed on their end and terms and conditions and further information on their processes can be found on their website.

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010164

Contact details for submissions or observations

Any queries in relation to this transboundary EIA consultation should be directed to Dublin City Council. See contact details below:

Greg Bryan, Administrative Officer

Planning & Property Development Department, Planning Administration,

Block4, Floor 3, Civic Offices,

Wood Quay, Dublin 8

T: 01-2223108 E: greg.bryan@dublincity.ie