Brussels, 22 December 2008 (Agence Europe) - Approving under Directive 2003/54/EC the derogations to tariff and grid access rules for two new electricity interconnections between the United Kingdom and Ireland on Monday 22 December 2008, the European Commission paved the way for a doubling in electricity transport capacity between the two countries. A third interconnection will soon be built in competition with the existing two, to be run by Irish grid management company Eirgrid. The new connections will help get Ireland better integrated into the EU common market for electricity and will help Irish windfarms get access to the British market. (E.H. trans fl)