The procurement process for the North South Interconnector is expected to begin before the end of the year.
Initial market engagement on the contract was launched by ESB Networks last month.
The PIN, or Periodic Indicative Notice, is a preliminary consultation that outlines the contract before the proper tendering process gets underway.
ESB Networks advertised a PIN for the month of October for the North-South Interconnector.
It outlined that it’s seeking contractors to construct overhead powerlines, overhead cable carriers, as well as towers, masts and pylons for the 400kV overhead project.
A spokesperson said this doesn’t commit ESB Networks to a large scale spend on the project, however it intends to begin the 12 to 18 month procurement process in the last quarter of this year.
The North East Pylon Pressure group, which wants the cables undergrounded, says Fianna Fáil has went back on it’s promise by allowing this to continue and claimed the strict planning conditions attached to the 2016 permission have not been advanced.
ESB Networks says conditions will be discharged in full, as required by planning permission for the project.
