Powering Up the North West

Powering Up the North West is a proposed programme of works designed to meet increased electricity demand in the region and to enable the integration of more renewable energy sources onto the electricity grid. This will help drive economic growth and development across the North West.

As part of this programme, two new 220 kV circuits are required in the Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal area. Taking into account geography, topography, and local needs, it has been decided by EirGrid that these two proposed circuits are being progressed as separate projects, but both of equal importance:

Srananagh to Clogher Project
This will involve a new 220 kV overhead circuit between Srananagh substation in Sligo and Clogher in Donegal.
Flagford to Srananagh Project
This will involve a partial replacement of the existing overhead 110 kV circuit between Flagford substation in Roscommon and Sligo substation, with a new overhead 220 kV circuit, and the connection of this new circuit into Srananagh substation in Sligo with new 220 kV and 110 kV circuits.

These projects are being developed in line with EirGrid’s 6-Step approach to Grid Development, which guides the process of identifying and delivering the most effective solution to meet the outlined needs.

Currently, both projects are in Step 4, where the focus will be on defining route corridors for these projects.

Project Updates

May 2026

Following the conclusion of the Step 3 Public Consultation, EirGrid has published the Best Performing Option reports for both projects, identifying overhead line as the chosen technology option for these projects.

You can view these reports here:

January 2026

Following the conclusion of the Public Consultation in November, an independent consultation report has now been published by EirGrid.

November 2025

From September to November 2025, EirGrid ran a public consultation process seeking the public’s views and inputs on constraints which might impact the delivery of the Powering Up the North West programme to help us identify route corridor options during the next steps of the programme.

An independent consultation report is now being developed based on the feedback from the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Powering Up the North West?

Why are the projects needed?

How will it benefit the North West region?

What is the current status of the programme?

Do the projects need landowners’ consent to proceed?

Why can’t the projects go underground?

How are project routes and technology options chosen?

What are composite poles and why are they the preferred option?

Will energy generated in the North West be exported to other parts of the country?

Are there environmental and ecological concerns with the project?

Are there health considerations in relation to electric magnetic fields (EMFs)?

How does EirGrid engage with the wider community in the region?

Next Steps

A further Public Consultation will take place which will assist in identifying specific route corridors for the two projects. If you would like updates on the project and news of this consultation, please register for updates here.

Community Forum

EirGrid will establish Community Forums for the Powering Up the North West Programme.

The purpose of these forums is to make sure that the voices of the local communities, and those impacted most by our infrastructure, are listened to.

The forums provide for open dialogue between the project team and stakeholders interested in the project.

The community forums will engage with EirGrid on key project developments such as:

how we communicate and engage with the public;
what we need to consider in developing the project; and
how we can deliver meaningful community benefit to the area where our infrastructure is hosted.

You can find out more about EirGrid’s existing community forums here.

To express your interest in joining one of the community forums for this project, please complete the expression of interest form.