EirGrid

EirGrid is the Irish transmission system operators for electricity. Founded in 2001, is wholly owned by the state and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin. The company is a portmanteau of " Éire ", the Gaelic word for Ireland, and "Grid", English for mains.

History and investments

EirGrid created in 2001 through a spin-off from the state-owned electricity company also Electricity Supply Board (ESB ). As part of the ESB EirGrid completely the Irish State, and is guided by the relevant Irish Ministry, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

EirGrid has the following subsidiaries and affiliates:

• System Operator Northern Ireland ( SONI Ltd ), the TSO of Northern Ireland
• Single Electricity Market Operator ( SEMO ), operator of the electricity market in Ireland
• East West Interconnector, the first high-voltage direct -current transmission between Ireland and Wales

Activities

EirGrid operates the transmission network for electricity in Ireland. This includes 6500 km overhead lines, including high voltage (400 kV) and distribution lines ( 110 and 220 kV) and 100 transformer stations. The transmission network is owned by ESB National Grid ( ESBNG ), which is also technically operates the network. EirGrid is responsible for only the economic operation and non-discriminatory network access.

EirGrid is the only Irish company in the Association of European Transmission System Operators ( ENTSO -E).