Plans to develop an electricity link between Northern Ireland and Scotland have taken a major step forward.

The proposed new electricity interconnector will connect both nations by the end of the decade, reducing the likelihood of electricity outages by facilitating greater access to other electricity markets. It will also help prevent emissions of significant levels of harmful greenhouse gases.

A transmission licence application was made in Northern Ireland by leading UK firm Transmission Investment, which is spearheading the £700 million initiative to develop, construct and operate the new sub-sea infrastructure between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

LirIC will provide up to 700MW of further capacity between the Irish Integrated Single Energy Market and the GB wholesale electricity market, allowing power from renewable energy sources to be supplied in either direction, displacing the need for power generation from polluting sources.

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Keith Morrison, LirIC Project Director, Transmisson Investment said: "The application for a Transmission Licence is an early milestone in a long process, but it's significant in that it moves us one stage closer towards delivering this very exciting project. 

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those with whom we have had very positive engagement so far, including the relevant government agencies, and the local political parties. 

"Over its lifetime, this project will bring real benefits to Northern Ireland, and Great Britain.

"LirlC will increase the opportunities for home-grown renewables to export power to other markets, reduce the curtailment of wind generators, lower the wholesale power price in wholesale markets, which on average is forecast to be higher in Northern Ireland, as well as deliver social economic welfare benefits. This interconnector will help balance out the system so that power can be imported or exported according to market requirements. There's a long way to go in the process, but we are pleased that we have reached this milestone."

LirIC will comprise two convertor stations, one located in Northern Ireland and another in Scotland, and a cable length of around 130km linking the two, depending on the final route. Potential routes and locations are being studied in detail, and will be selected to minimise disturbance to the environment and local communities.