The Utility Regulator today publishes its determination of additional funding which will allow NIE Networks to carryout pre-construction works on the new Airport Road Substation project.
In its business plan for the current price control (RP6) NIE Networks made us aware of a number of projects that might be required during the price control but were not sufficiently advanced to provide accurate cost estimates. Airport Road Substation is one such project. We included a mechanism in the price control to fund these projects as the need was confirmed and cost estimates prepared.
The Airport Road Substation project is necessary to support ongoing economic development to the east of Belfast City, including Titanic Quarter, Sirocco Quays, Belfast Harbour and City Quays. SONI and NIE Networks jointly agreed that the most cost effective way of supporting this development is to construct a new 110kV/33kV substation at Airport Road to supply existing and future consumers in the area.
Our determined allowance of £631k for pre-construction works will allow NIE Networks to undertake the investigations, design and procurement work necessary to submit a robust estimate of construction costs to the Utility Regulator for further analysis and determination. It will also allow the company to secure a site for the sub-station.