EirGrid has announced the best route option for the North Connacht 110 kV power supply line.
The route which is around 60 kilometres long will bypass major towns and villages including Ballina, Foxford and Ballaghaderreen.
A total of seven options had been identified in the study area with four of them using an overhead line, and the other three using underground cables.
This will be an underground project and around 53 kilometres of the cable route will be constructed on a range of road types from Moy to Tonroe including the N5, N26, L1321 and the N59.
The off-road sections account for around 7 kilometres and sections of this will be mainly located at Ballaghaderreen, Swinford, and Ballina with engagement with local landowners continuing.
A Planning application will now be prepared for submission to An Bord Pleanala and it's hoped that will happen early next year.
EirGrid says a community forum will be set up to ensure that the views of stakeholders and the local community are understood and considered during the delivery of the project.
If the application is successful it's hoped that work could begin on the ground in 2023.
