Hundreds of farmers in Monaghan and Cavan are expected to receive substantial compensation when a cross-Border electrical powersharing project starts.
Access to their land will be required for the construction of pylons, and the extension of North-South power-lines to enable a new €300 million power-sharing project go ahead in two year's time.
The scheme, which will involve the provision of a 35km (21.7 miles) of a new interconnector power line, will extend from the Tyrone border, through Co Monaghan, to Kingscourt in Co Cavan.
A new sub-station is also to be built at Kingscourt, as part of the project.
Details of the scheme, and the plans to compensate farmers for any loss or inconvenience caused, were outlined yesterday by Aidan Corcoran, projects manager for EirGrid.
"This project will facilitate a new all-Ireland electricity market . . . [ and will] ultimately facilitate the reduction of electricity prices for the consumer," he said.
"As well as allowing for cross-Border sharing of electricity, it will also facilitate the use of renewable energy sources, such as wind energy." He said the project is critical for economic development.
EirGrid has announced plans for a series of consultation meetings with farmers and other residents in the Border region, during the coming weeks.
"We will be negotiating with all landowners . . . in regard to the construction of power lines," Mr Corcoran said.