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

Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Public Consultation – Development of the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, located from the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary to a proposed landfall site at Cornborough Range in Devon, UK

Summary

On 12 August 2024, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage received a cross-border EIA screening statement in relation to the proposed development of the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, carried out on behalf of the UK Secretary of State at the pre-application stage. The cross-border screening process identified potential cross-border issues for Ireland in relation to impacts on commercial fishing, marine mammals and turtles, other marine users and shipping and navigation.

Subsequently, on 31 January 2025, the UK Planning Inspectorate (PINS) wrote to the Minister inviting Ireland to participate in a cross-border EIA consultation as the Planning Authority had accepted the planning application for the proposed development. This public consultation is being conducted in accordance with section 132 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 – 2024.

In addition, following the acceptance of the planning application a second cross-border screening was carried out on 10 January 2025. This cross-border screening process concluded that there were unlikely to be significant cross-border environmental impacts on Ireland. However, in line with the procedures for similar developments and the initial screening findings, a public consultation is underway to provide members of the public with the opportunity to make submissions on the proposed development.

Why is this consultation taking place?

In accordance with the provisions of the 1991 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (“Espoo Convention”), transboundary States are required to undertake transboundary consultations, including with members of the public, on projects likely to have significant effects on the environment of neighbouring States as part of the environmental impact assessment of proposed development. To this end, the transboundary State in whose territory the project is proposed to be carried out is required to transmit to the State concerned, no later than when it informs its own public, a report on the project and any available information on its potential transboundary impact.

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

The proposed development consists of (but is not limited to) a submarine electricity cable to be installed from the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary to a proposed landfall at Cornborough Range in Devon, UK. The submarine cable comprises approximately 370km of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables in two bundled pairs. From a landward perspective, the cable runs along the shore for approximately 14km to two onshore converter stations to the west of the Alverdiscott 400kV substation. The converter stations would be connected to the Alverdiscott 400kV substation via 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 an environmental impact assessment is required for the proposed development and has therefore undertaken a transboundary EIA screening. The initial transboundary screening exercise concluded that the proposed development could have transboundary impacts on the environment in Ireland including 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 impacts on the environment would not be significant.

Screening Assessment

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

How to Participate

All documents relating to the application for development consent for the proposed development, including additional documents or amendments accepted at the discretion of the PIN, are available on its website at:

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

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

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

The public consultation notice should also be available for viewing in the Planning Department office of every local authority throughout the country during office hours, but by appointment if necessary.

Copies of these documents are available for inspection, or for purchase for a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making the copy, during office hours at the offices of each local authority throughout the country. Each local authority will also provide links to each document online. Please contact your local authority for further details.

Making submissions or comments

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

Deadlines for submissions or comments

The public consultation period is open from 6 March 2025. The deadline for receiving written submissions or comments under this cross-border consultation process  is 17 April 2025 at the latest  . The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will not accept submissions or comments in relation to the project.

Documents

The documents are available below.

What happens next?

Submissions are made directly to the PIN, so submissions will not be received by the Department or any planning authority. Submissions will be reviewed at their conclusion and terms and conditions and their processes can be found on their website.

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

Contact details for submissions or comments

Any queries regarding this cross-border EIA consultation should be directed to Dublin City Council. See contact details below:

Greg Bryan, Administrative Officer

Planning & Property Development Department, Planning Administration,

Block 4, Floor 3, Civic Offices,

Wooden Quay, Dublin 8