ESB opens major new battery plant at Cork site 

The Electricity Supply Board has opened a new major battery plant at its Aghada site in County Cork.

The project will add 150MW (300MWh) of fast-acting energy storage to provide grid stability and deliver more renewable power to Ireland’s electricity system.

This battery-energy-storage-system (BESS) is the latest in ESB’s pipeline of projects to be delivered at sites in Cork and Dublin, which are part of its investment of up to €300m in the technology.

In 2022, ESB launched the first of its BESS sites, the 19MW (38MWh) project, which is also in Aghada.

Earlier this year, a new 75MW (150MWh) project was opened at ESB’s Poolbeg Energy Hub in Dublin.

The EU commissioner-designate for democracy, justice, and the rule of law, Michael McGrath, said: “Through the delivery of projects like this, which will facilitate more renewable sources of energy onto the electricity system, it is clear that ESB’s relationship with Cork will continue in to the future.

“This technology, delivered by ESB and their partners, can play an important role in achieving climate targets, both in Ireland and at European level, in the pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions.”

The ESB’s chief executive, Paddy Hayes, said: “ESB’s Aghada site in Cork has been a key part of the progressive development of the Irish electricity system for over 40 years and the launch of ESB’s largest battery storage project so far is another significant milestone.

“These batteries energy security, reduce peak prices, and help to maximise the benefit of renewables.

“These high-capacity batteries can store excess renewable energy for discharge when required, and, in doing so, help to Ireland in reaching its ambitious climate targets by 2030 and ESB in achieving its Net Zero by 2040 strategy.”

The ESB has partnered with Fluence — a global leader in energy storage products, services, and software — as well as Irish company Powercomm Group to deliver this latest project.