Power grid upgrade can lead to jobs surge

Date Published: 10-Oct-2012

‘Heavy-hitter’ multinational companies like Intel and Google may consider relocating to Galway when the new €240 million electricity grid is built in the West, according to EirGrid.

As the western seaboard begins to harness wind and wave energy, at least one, and possibly two, new 400 kilovolt power lines will put Galway on a par with Dublin and Cork in terms of electricity infrastructure.

And that brings with it the potential for hundreds and possibly thousands of new jobs across the West.

During construction, the new power lines will see around 300 jobs created.

Alan McHugh, Project Manager for the ‘Grid West’ scheme told the Connacht Tribune he firmly believes that the €240m investment will attract Foreign Direct Investment, and even lead to big name companies relocating to the West.

“It’s no coincidence that at the moment, huge industries are located in Dublin, Cork and around the Shannon Estuary, because of the existing power infrastructure there.

“Grid West will put the West on a level playing field, so there is room for expansion for existing companies like Boston Scientific (in Galway) and Allergan (in Westport).

“You might get the likes of Intel or Google wanting to relocate to the West. This infrastructure is absolutely critical to the region.

“We do a lot of work with the IDA. They come to us fairly regularly with unidentified clients with American or European accents, asking things like where the best location would be for a data centre – it’s such a sensitive industry, they need a reliable supply of power,” said Mr McHugh.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.