Celtic Interconnector Passes 60% Onshore Cable Milestone, On Track for 2028 Launch

*TL;DR: More than 60% of the onshore high‑voltage direct current (HVDC) cables for the Celtic Interconnector have been installed, keeping the project on schedule for a 2028 start‑up.

Context The Celtic Interconnector is a 575‑km HVDC link that will tie the French and Irish power grids together. With a capacity of 700 MW, it will be the first direct electricity conduit between Ireland and mainland Europe. Construction began in 2023 after the planning phase, and the project is classified as an EU Project of Common Interest, receiving European funding.

Key Facts - The onshore segment in France includes a 40‑km corridor from the planned landfall near Cléder to the converter station at La Martyre, where DC will be turned into alternating current (AC) for the national grid. - In Ireland, the Ballyadam converter station in County Cork and the new Gogganstown substation are under major construction; several large power transformers have already been installed. - EirGrid reports that more than 60% of the HVDC onshore cables have been laid on the Irish side, and the first 84‑km offshore cable section has been deployed. - The submarine portion, roughly 500 km of cable across the Celtic Sea, will be installed in a later phase. - The interconnector is slated for commissioning in 2028, aligning with the EU’s goal of expanding cross‑border transmission capacity by 2030.

What It Means Reaching the 60% threshold signals that the project remains on schedule despite the technical challenges of laying HVDC cables on land and sea. Once operational, the link will enable bidirectional flows of up to 700 MW, bolstering Ireland’s energy security and allowing excess renewable generation to move between the two markets. For France, the connection opens a new export route for its low‑carbon electricity, supporting the EU’s climate targets.

The interconnector also creates a platform for future market integration, potentially lowering electricity prices through increased competition. As more onshore work proceeds, attention will turn to the submarine cable installation, a critical path item that will determine whether the 2028 commissioning date holds.

What to watch next: the start of the submarine cable deployment and progress at the La Martyre and Ballyadam converter stations, which will dictate the final timeline for the Celtic Interconnector’s entry into service.