Ireland's largest 75MW/ 150MWh battery storage comes online

The Republic of Ireland has recently witnessed the official inauguration of the country's 'largest' grid-scale battery energy storage facility located at Poolbeg Energy Hub. The 75MW/ 150MWh BESS is aimed at enhancing the grid stability and deliver more renewable integration on Ireland's power network.

Ireland's utility company Electricity Supply Board (ESB) has partnered with BESS manufacturer Fluence, Kirby Group and Powercomm Group to deliver the project, which is part of a series of major battery plants being delivered at sites in Dublin and Cork representing an investment of € 300 million. 

These high-capacity battery energy storage facilities can store excess renewable energy for discharge when required, and in doing so, help to support Ireland in reaching its ambitious climate targets by 2030 and ESB in achieving its Net Zero by 2040 strategy, according to the utility. 

Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, who inaugurated the BESS last week, said, "Energy storage like this major battery plant at the ESB's flagship site in Poolbeg will be a core part of Ireland's new renewable energy transition and will play a key role in balancing our new, homegrown power supply".

The project, operational since late November 2023, has a capability of providing 75 MW of energy for two hours to Ireland's electricity system. The Poolbeg Energy Hub in Dublin will also support the future delivery of renewable energy including batteries, hydrogen and offshore wind over the next decade, adds ESB.

"Today marks another important milestone for ESB as we launch our latest fast-acting grid-scale battery unit that will support grid stability and help to deliver more renewables on Ireland's electricity system", said Jim Dollard, ESB Executive Director, Generation and Trading, at the official inauguration ceremony.

"The location of this project, at our Poolbeg Energy Hub, will build on our longstanding history of innovation at the site. We are looking forward to continuing to work with our partners to deliver the remainder of our projects in development this year", he added.