Mains electricity came to the Aran Islands yesterday with the official switchover of supply from diesel generators. The connection to the islands involved 40 kilometres of undersea cable laid by a vessel guided by satellite technology.
The £5 million project will be a major boost to the socio-economic development of the islands, and will be of great benefit to the 1,500 people who live on them, according to the ESB.
The Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Mr Eamon O Cuiv, has announced that a similar connection to Clare Island and Inisbofin will be provided by the end of 1998.
Until now the Aran Islands had been supplied with electricity from diesel generators.
The connection will enable widespread use of high-load domestic appliances, as well as equipment suitable for the development of light industry.