Renewable Energy Magazine 2024 by bmf business services

Renewable energy

Winds of change Beauchamps’ Ainsley Heffernan magazine

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan TD discusses progress on ambitions beyond the traditional political cycle

University of Oslo’s Catherine Banet on the scaling up of the European offshore wind sector

ESRI’s John FitzGerald outlines the existing challenges to accelerating the energy transition

The future grid and renewable energy

The decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy supply necessitates the delivery of increased renewable electricity generation at pace – a recognisable challenge for the electricity grid.

The installation of almost 5GW of onshore renewable electricity generation to date, coupled with the ability to accommodate 75 per cent SNSP is a laudable feat, but efforts to increase the volume of installed capacity have been stymied – in large due to a planning system ill-equipped to deal with the pace of change required. That slowdown in delivery has meant that not only will onshore infrastructure development continue out to 2030, but the Government’s target of 5GW of operational offshore capacity looks unlikely.

A perhaps unintentional consequence has been the space created for a greater focus on the grid solutions that will be needed to better bridge the geographical gap between generation and demand, and around how to best manage a projected future abundance of intermittent renewables.

There is a recognition that grid capacity limitations risks business cases for future renewable projects and as a result, conversations around long-duration storage, co-location hubs, planning system improvement, and private wires are now taking place.

A round table discussion hosted by KPMG included within is evidence of the thought now being given to grid stability and solutions, while our cover story with Beauchamps’ partner Ainsley Heffernan traces the huge shift towards renewable energy in the past two decades, while also considering the impacts of planning delays.

Other highlights include a focus beyond electricity and the future role of biogas following publication of the Government’s National Biomethane Strategy, the European context for renewable energy development, and green hydrogen.

David Whelan, Editor

Renewable Energy Summit 2024

Thursday 14 November • Croke Park Dublin

Energy Ireland’s Renewable Energy Summit, now in its 21st year, is the major event bringing together the renewable energy sector as a whole. Attracting over 200 key stakeholders, attendees will hear from an impressive line-up of expert speakers looking towards Ireland’s renewable energy future.

Minister Eamon Ryan TD:

A bright and sustainable energy future

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD outlines progress made on the ambition for an energy-independent Ireland.

Ambition is the single most important characteristic for any government department and for any government minister, particularly when it comes to providing for the current and future energy needs of a growing and vibrant Ireland.

In the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, our ambition has helped to create a worldclass planning and regulatory environment for renewable energy that paves the way for an energy-independent Ireland, with a stable electricity supply at a stable price.

Our ambition looks beyond the traditional political cycle, and is boldly focused on the coming decades with a €100 billion energy strategy outlined in our Future Framework policy document.

This strategy sets out a clear roadmap to

deliver 20GW of offshore wind energy by 2040, and at least 37GW in total by 2050.

This is one of the most ambitious projects in the history of the State but, while we are ambitious for the future, we are delivering now.

As of today, there are six active planning applications for offshore wind projects which, in effect, are seeking final consent before starting construction – five are proposed for the Irish Sea and the sixth is located at Sceirde Rocks, off the coast of Connemara.

In a hugely competitive global offshore renewable energy market, international and domestic developers are prepared to invest €10 billion to see these projects through to completion. That is a resounding vote of confidence in Ireland’s offshore renewable energy strategy – four of the six applicants have already been

“As the term of this Government approaches its conclusion, I know that the ambition within this department will remain, and deliver a bright and sustainable energy future for everyone in Ireland.”

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD

awarded contracts by the State, accounting for the generation of 3.1GW of renewable energy, enough to power 2.4 million homes.

But that is just Phase I of our offshore renewable energy strategy, we are already working on the delivery of Phase II. As part of the Government’s new plan-led approach to offshore wind development, in May 2024, my department launched the State’s first draft spatial plan for renewable energy generation – the draft South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC DMAP). This plan identifies four areas off the south coast for the development of offshore renewable energy.

A six-week public consultation concluded in June 2024 and the draft South Coast DMAP will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas later in 2024. This process will initiate the State's next offshore wind auction, delivering a further 900MW of renewable energy.

As we continue to develop our energy resources around the Irish coast, this plan-led approach ensures that the voices and concerns of coastal communities and other stakeholders, such as those reliant on the sea for their livelihoods, are heard and listened to through the planning and development phases of offshore infrastructure projects. It also ensures there are comprehensive environmental assessments designed to protect the marine environment and biodiversity. Our ambition for renewable energy is not just offshore, but onshore too. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is another cornerstone government policy aimed at achieving

the ambitious target of 80 per cent renewable electricity by 2030. RESS supports the transition to a low-carbon energy system by providing a structured, auction-based framework that promotes competition among renewable electricity generation projects, including wind, solar, and other sustainable technologies.

RESS will continue to play a crucial role in promoting more affordable renewable energy generation and provide financial benefits to electricity users in Ireland through the associated Community Benefit Funds which will equate to approximately €4.1 million annually.

My department also has ambitious plans for district heating, which utilises a centralised heat source to heat multiple buildings across a potentially wide geographical area. This means that multiple types of centralised heat sources, including data centres, can be used to heat up to thousands of buildings across an entire, village, town, or city.

Deployment of district heating at scale, particularly in densely populated areas with ready-made heat sources located nearby, is a key government objective under the Climate Action Plan and a key component in meeting the Built Environment Sectoral Emissions Ceiling.

As well as existing district heating schemes already in operation, there is an additional pipeline of potential projects in the early stages of their lifecycles, and officials are working with local authorities and other heat network developers to assist those projects in moving on towards full development.

A National District Heating Centre of Excellence has also been established within the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), fulfilling a key recommendation to centralise the approach to development of the sector to ensure balanced and timely delivery of district heating networks.

Lastly, I will briefly outline our plans for a sustainable biomethane industry. The reality is that there are sectors of the economy where no alternative decarbonisation options exist, such as high temperature heat processes used in certain industries. That is where the National Biomethane Strategy comes in, with a commitment from the Government to support the delivery of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030 – a significant increase on the 75 GWh currently being produced in Ireland each year.

Implementation of the strategy will require concerted action across key government departments and agencies to ensure the necessary supports and

infrastructure are in place to support the biomethane industry. An integral part of the strategy is sustainable production. An early action for delivery will be the development of a Biomethane Sustainability Charter in consultation with policy, industry, and civil society stakeholders. The charter will support an agri-led biomethane industry, while protecting and restoring water, soil, biodiversity, and ecosystem services as processing plants are developed and commissioned.

Offshore and onshore renewable energy, district heating and biomethane are just some of the many ambitious energy strategies being led by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

As the term of this government approaches its conclusion, I know that the ambition within this department will remain, and deliver a bright and sustainable energy future for everyone in Ireland.

Winds of change

Partner and head of the energy and natural resources group at Beauchamps, Ainsley Heffernan, discusses the significant changes he has observed in the Irish renewable energy sector over the last two decades.

In 2001, Heffernan spearheaded a bold decision by Beauchamps to form Ireland's first energy law team focused exclusively on renewables. The move represented incredible foresight when one considers the subsequent transformation of Ireland’s energy landscape and the establishment of Ireland’s national climate objectives. Heffernan is unequivocal that the decision to focus solely on renewables was the correct one, but emphasises that the first few years were challenging.

“In forming the group and focusing solely on renewables, we were an outlier. At that time, the energy sector and energy law was very much focused on conventional plant such as coal, oil, and peat. Renewables were on the fringes,” he says.

Not long after the creation of Beauchamps’ renewable energy group, the Commission for Energy Regulation, in consultation with ESB, imposed a moratorium on new wind farms connecting to the national grid, due to concerns about how wind energy could impact on the security and stability of the power system. “In 2003 and 2004, it was difficult to be speaking at wind energy conferences in places like Hamburg, flying the flag for windfarm development in Ireland, when there was a system-wide ban on new connections. However, we believed in what we were doing and subsequently the moratorium was lifted. The rest, as they say, is history.

“In an environment where we are now seeing many legal practices on the island, and elsewhere, promoting their renewable credentials and, to a degree, downplaying their fossil fuel work, it is good to be able to say that this is not a late conversion for Beauchamps. Rather, it is something we have always done.”

Beauchamps’ team has extensive experience representing developers, funders, and investors in a wide variety of renewable energy projects, with a combined generation capacity of over 2GW to date. Described by Heffernan as a “cradle to grave type” service, Beauchamps provides expert advice through the whole project cycle from feasibility, right through to planning, financing, and ultimately construction of the project.

Alongside the expertise exhibited in its core group, Heffernan outlines that his team is bolstered by Beauchamps’ wider expertise in areas such as

construction, project finance, corporate, and property, ensuring that the clients benefit from a broader bandwidth of experience.

On attracting and retaining talent, Heffernan says: “One of the notable advantages of our decision to focus solely on renewables is the positive signal this sends, not only to clients, but to our staff. Law has become a competitive field for talent and there is a notable trend for lawyers seeking to work in areas where they can make a positive social impact. A career in renewable energy law provides the opportunity to work on large and complex projects which make a real contribution to achieving our decarbonisation goals and meeting our climate objectives.”

Transition

Asked to elaborate on the seismic changes within the energy sector since his early days in energy law, Heffernan observes: “In the early part of my career, renewables in Ireland meant onshore wind. The last 10 years has seen a large shift in the diversity of the generation mix.”

Heffernan points to the development and scaling of technologies such as solar PV and offshore wind in Ireland’s energy mix, but simultaneously emphasises the importance of energy storage and demand side management. He also sees significant opportunities in biomethane and green hydrogen as key enablers to decarbonise hard to abate sectors like heat and transport.

Notable trends indicated by Heffernan include the emergence of larger stakeholders on the energy generation side, partly due to market design, and a

greater role for the consumer enabled by technology.

Additionally, he points to the increased role of ‘big tech’ players, such as data centres, who not only represent large energy consumption, but are also recognised as key players in the additionality of new wind and solar projects, and who are providing alternative routes to market beyond the Government’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).

“What we have needed to do, as a small island with limited interconnection, but with a very large proportion of renewables on our system, is be a bit more innovative than other countries,” says Heffernan.

Applying this logic to his practice, the Partner explains that he regularly advises junior lawyers that their role is not simply to identify and categorise risk on a particular project, but also to mitigate that risk by proposing practical and commercial solutions. This commercial solutions-focused approach, he believes, sets Beauchamps apart from many of its peers.

2030 targets

Despite significant progress, which has enabled Ireland to dramatically increase the levels of renewables in its energy mix, Heffernan believes Ireland will fall short of its ambitious targets set for 2030.

“Assessing what has happened in recent years, it was estimated that we would have needed approximately 600MW of new onshore wind generation every year to meet our 2030 targets, but actual constructed capacity 4

has been just a fraction of that figure. When it comes to our offshore wind targets, an earlier than expected shift from a developer-led approach to a plan-led approach, and a delay in identifying designated marine areas for offshore renewable development, has sent negative investment signals to the market. The star performer in the last few years has been solar, which has now reached nearly 1.2GW of installed capacity from a standing start.

“From an energy perspective, 2030 is tomorrow and 2050 is next week, so even the slightest delay to the planned increase in generation will have implications on reaching the intended targets.”

Challenges

Aside from grid, the most identifiable challenge to increased renewables in Ireland to date has been a planning system that is not conducive to the scale and pace of project delivery that is needed. A proposed Planning and Development Bill 2023, which is currently making its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas has been a welcome development. However, some criticism has been levelled at whether the almost 800-page piece of legislation will provide adequate clarity in the short-timeframe required.

Regardless, Heffernan does not share the concern voiced by some about the length of the Bill, recognising that consolidation of any legislation is a difficult process, particularly in an area as dynamic as planning law. However, he echoes a common assessment from the renewable energy industry that the Bill represents a “missed opportunity”.

Prior to the Bill’s publication, industry had identified two major requests of the Government’s legislation, namely, mandatory time periods for a rebranded An Bord Pleanála (An Coimisiún Pleanála) to make decisions on appeals and applications, and changes to the judicial review process that would include prescribed timelines and set new criteria for being granted leave to apply.

“The Bill started out with ambitious and laudable goals, and while yet to be finalised, it does appear to have made progress in areas such as mandatory timelines,” he says, adding: “However, my own reading – and having spoken to some of our planning law experts internally – is that the Bill has been watered down through amendments. For example, mandatory timelines have been included, but they are exceptionally generous and do not guarantee default permission once the timeline has been passed.

“I understand that there are limitations on how far we can go with planning reform, especially as we are bound by the Aarhus Convention, but I take the view that extreme challenges require extreme measures.

“We have to start seeing climate change for what it is – an extreme existential threat. Unfortunately, like many democracies, our system tends to deal with challenges in election cycles, an approach that is better suited to dealing with short term problems rather than long-term threats.”

The Beauchamps’ partner asserts that future progress on renewables

development does not lie in the publication of the Bill alone and that other levers exist to speed up development.

“Primary legislation can only do so much. The details are always in the secondary legislation, in the regulations, and in ministerial guidelines, which will be of great interest. For example, the Wind Energy Guidelines have existed for a long time and are in need of review. These are positive things that can be done in the near term.

“The other aspect of faster renewable deployment is resourcing within the planning system. It is something the industry has persistently lobbied for, and to be fair to the Government and Minister Eamon Ryan TD, it is something that has been heard. Even the best planning system in the world will not deliver unless it is adequately resourced. The additional resources and powers allocated to An Bord Pleanála are welcome, but there must also be an understanding that that there is a legacy of underinvestment that must be addressed if we are to move beyond running to stand still.

“As more offshore applications enter the planning system, we need a lot more resources for the decision-making bodies so that they can make those decisions quickly, and in a manner which sees those decisions stand up when challenged.”

At the same time, Heffernan recognises that the responsibility of reducing the planning bottleneck does not lie with government alone.

“There is an acknowledged responsibility from developers and industry of the need to submit better applications and to properly engage with communities. Not all objections are necessarily spurious. As a society, there needs to be an understanding that this is not a zero-sum game. It does not have to be renewable energy development or the environment; it can be both.”

Asked whether he believes intended changes in planning law have made Ireland a more desirable destination for renewables investment, Heffernan adds: “I do not think the Planning and Development Bill has moved the needle on that massively, but it does factor into combined progress such as grid investment and regular route to market auctions.

“From an energy perspective, 2030 is tomorrow and 2050 is next week, so even the slightest delay to the planned increase in generation will have implications on reaching the intended targets.

“I believe there are still a number of quick wins we can achieve in this regard, such as the regulatory changes promised under the Climate Action Plan for private wires. These are the types of actions that can send the right investment signals, but we are slow to act. A change in policy to allow private wires and private networks was promised as far back as 2019 in the first Climate Action Plan. Yet despite a lengthy public consultation in August 2023, we are still waiting for the new policy to be published by the Department.”

On whether a forthcoming election and potential change of government poses a challenge to renewable energy delivery in Ireland, Heffernan indicates that one of Ireland’s greatest strengths is a broad political consensus on the importance of renewable energy to the economic and societal future of the Island.

Future

In 2024, Beauchamps recruited a senior planning associate and a new partner in construction to bolster the energy and natural resources group, signalling its intended growth pathway in coming years. Heffernan reiterates his belief that Beauchamps’ long standing reputation in the renewable energy sector places it high in an increasingly competitive legal market.

Acknowledging entrance into the market of larger legal firms from other jurisdictions, such as the UK, many of whom hope to replicate their international work in Ireland, Heffernan believes that local expertise and experience will continue to be invaluable.

“Ireland’s regulatory, property and planning systems are quite different from those in the UK and continental Europe. The ability to navigate those systems effectively, for the benefit of our clients, is a critical skill which we have built up over multiple decades. We have a track record of delivery that we are very proud of.”

On future ambitions, Heffernan says that he aims to ensure that Beauchamps remains the law firm of choice for those involved in Irish renewable energy. Elaborating further, he says: “At Beauchamps we have taken the strategic decision to not try and be all things to all people, but instead develop specialist knowledge, expertise, and experience in core areas.

“Renewable energy is one of those areas. Our reputation is excellent given that we have operated in the sector for

Ainsley Heffernan

so long and successfully acted for a lot of major stakeholders. Now I want to consolidate that to ensure that we are the first choice legal firm for anyone seeking to develop, finance or acquire a renewable energy project in Ireland.

“To do so, we are scaling our business in areas like planning and environmental law, construction law and regulatory law to ensure that we can fully service our clients and support them in every aspect of their project development.

“At the same time, we have been – and aim to continue to be – a trusted adviser to government and the public sector. Ultimately, we are all trying to achieve the same goal, to decarbonise our economy and reach our climate change targets.”

Profile: Ainsley Heffernan

Ainsley Heffernan is a partner and head of the award winning Energy and Natural Resources Group at Beauchamps, a group he formed in 2001. He graduated with a first class honours bachelor of law degree from University College Galway in 1995 and qualified as a solicitor in 1999. He began his career at Beauchamps and has over 20 years’ experience advising clients in the renewable energy sector.

Heffernan and his team have extensive experience representing clients involved in wind farm projects (both onshore and offshore), solar PV, energy storage, bioenergy, and green hydrogen. He speaks regularly at energy sector conferences and contributes to a variety of industry publications. Heffernan is a former member of Wind Energy Ireland's executive council and is also an active member of the Irish Solar Energy Association. He is regularly included in Chambers Europe and Legal 500 as one of Ireland’s leading energy lawyers.

Biomethane: A sustainable industry of scale

The

publication of Ireland’s first

major

policy

statement on biomethane marks an important milestone in an overarching ambition to develop a sustainable industry of scale by 2030.

In July 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlighted the need for urgency to deliver decarbonisation options to meet the overarching target of 51 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030. The Government has subsequently acknowledged that without biomethane, Ireland is unlikely to meet its legally binding climate targets.

The National Biomethane Strategy is intended to be a starting point to catalyse the significant momentum required to produce 5.7 TWh of biomethane per annum by 2030, a target set by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) in the context of the sectoral emissions ceilings.

The scale of the ambition is significant and challenging, and will require a shift from current production levels of less than 0.1 per cent of the State’s overall fossil gas demand to 10 per cent by 2030 – rising to over 50 per cent by the mid-2030s.

Recognition of the significant role biomethane will have in helping to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, including industrial heat and transport, can be seen by the shift of emphasis in increasing levels of production. The 5.7 TWh target for 2030 is more than three and a half times greater than the original target of 1.6 TWh outlined in Climate Action Plan 2019.

Co-developed by the Department of

Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and DECC, the strategy outlines 25 measures under a framework of five key pillars:

1. sustainability;

2. demand for biomethane;

3. bioeconomy and circular economy;

4. economics of biomethane; and

5. enabling policy requirements.

The production of biomethane is firmly established in Europe, with an estimated 37 TWh produced in 2022. However, it is described as being at a “nascent stage of development” in Ireland, despite recognition of its potential given the size of the agriculture sector here.

With only two operational biomethane facilities injecting biomethane into the gas grid, current direct injection is estimated to be around just 75 GWh per annum. Most of this is used within the transport sector under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.

Biogas, produced through anaerobic digestion (AD) is only classed as biomethane when upgraded to methane with greater than 97 per cent purity, making it compatible with the national gas network. Alongside Ireland’s two

biomethane plants, there are over 40 AD facilities which produce a total of 580 GWh of biogas.

Diversification

While much of the emissions savings of biomethane will be counted in the energy sector, there is a recognition that increased production offers alternative land use options for the agriculture sector. The sectoral emission ceiling for agriculture sets a need for a 25 per cent emission reduction between 2018 and 2025.

As such, according to the strategy: “The development of a biomethane industry will also provide significant opportunities to reduce emissions in agriculture and improve the likelihood of reaching the sectoral targets.

“These opportunities with biomethane for agriculture include diversification opportunities for livestock farmers, reduced emissions from animal wastes, biobased fertiliser replacing chemical fertiliser and carbon sequestration on land.”

Design

The Government has designed a bespoke AD model, focused on centralised, large-scale plants with grass silage and slurry as the main feedstocks. While the strategy suggests the need for a broad mix in the scale of plants developed, most of the focus will be on delivering plants that can produce 40 GWh of biogas, which come at an estimated cost of €15 million each.

Aiming for 1 TWh (1.7 per cent of current natural gas demand) of biomethane produced by the end of 2025, an estimated total of between 25 and 40 GWh plants will need to be built.

– 60,000 tonnes

strategy which allows flexibility, encourages a smaller number of larger, more economic community-scale

to 60,000 tonnes

The Government has secured €40 million from Europe’s REPowerEU scheme for a capital grant scheme for biomethane production plants and it is expected that AD plants currently operating to produce biogas will be eligible for capital support to upgrade their facilities to produce biomethane and other biobased products, along with new AD plants.

However, it is likely that only new plant builds with full planning and permitting permissions would be eligible for this round of capital support.

The strategy outlines that while a wide range of support mechanisms was assessed during the strategy’s development, the need to “swiftly stimulate” the industry led to the decision to utilise the Renewable Heat Obligation in conjunction with capital grants, which it says offers budget certainty for the support programme while delivering a sector of scale.

The Government has agreed to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation by the end of 2024, which will obligate suppliers of fossil fuels used for heat to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is renewable.

Given the evident challenge of access to finance, there is a recognition that smaller farmer-led/farmercontrolled projects will also need incentivised and supported. Although not confirmed, the Government is exploring the potential for an appropriate smallerscale (circa 10 GWh plants) finance scheme and is expected to realise details before the end of 2024.

Sustainability charter

The Renewable Energy Directives set strict sustainability criteria for biomethane from AD plants to be classified as a zero-carbon renewable fuel, yet this only applies to facilities beyond 200 Nm3 /h of installed capacity. The Government has committed to

In focus: European biomethane sector

35GW The average size of AD plants in Europe

64% of feedstocks are from agriculture, compared to 11% from organic waste and 11% from industrial wastes

75% of plants are grid connected, compared to 9% not connected and 14% unknown

developing a biomethane sustainability charter which will set similar guidelines for plants that fall outside the Directive’s threshold and will require compliance for eligibility for any potential financial support.

They include substantial GHG emissions savings calculated along the supply chain and the guarantee that biomass sourcing has a minimum impact on biodiversity and soil quality. Compliance with such criteria is necessary to qualify as renewable, to be eligible for any potential financial support, and to be zero-rated under the EU emissions trading system.

The charter will apply to all biomethane projects being developed in Ireland in receipt of any form of support or operating under the RHO and will, according to the strategy “support the delivery of environmentally sustainable biomethane in Ireland”.

Planning

Despite the recognised need for a rapid increase in AD plant development, there is no existing mechanism to fast-track applications. However, in response, the strategy commits to developing guidelines to support local authorities when

assessing AD and biorefinery planning applications by the end of 2024.

Given the evident potential of biomethane production in Ireland, the strategy has been welcomed by stakeholders as a good first step towards developing an indigenous industry and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The strategy offers a blueprint of future progress and is a signal to prospective producers of the Government’s commitment to supporting and developing the industry.

Success will be determined by the ability of all stakeholders to deliver on the relevant key actions, within a short timeframe, and to ensure that financial support is sustained, particularly as other sectors strive towards their renewable targets.

Arguably most critical will be the buy-in achieved from the agri-food sector, and in particular farmers, who will provide feedstock for increasing number of plants. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD described the strategy as “agri-centric” and said that progress will rest on the commitment to enable farmers to contribute to the decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy system.

Vision for Ireland’s biomethane sector

• Most plants will be 40 GWh or similar scale, but there will be a role for smaller farm scale plants.

• Initially waste products will be utilised as a main feedstock, but this will be closely followed by agricultural feedstocks such as slurries and grass silage.

• Most AD plants in Ireland will be directly connected to the gas network.

• The Renewable Heat Obligation and capital grants will serve as the main support measures.

• Biomethane will be utilised in the heat (RHO), transport (RTFO) and electricity generation (Gas Purchase Agreements) sectors in Ireland.

• Sustainability will be prioritised through a Biomethane Sustainability Charter.

Grant continues to advance innovative heating solutions

As a leader in renewable heating solutions, Grant continues to demonstrate its commitment to designing and manufacturing highly efficient, innovative heating technologies with its extensive product portfolio.

Grant’s technologies include ranges of air-to-water heat pumps, condensing oil and HVO biofuel boilers, condensing wood pellet boilers, solar thermal panels, hot water cylinders, aluminium radiators, and underfloor heating systems.

The company is currently supporting many social housing projects, new build developments, and retrofit projects

throughout Ireland in a drive to help advance the deployment of renewables.

One of the reasons that more new build developments are installing Grant technologies is due to their ability to work together seamlessly and provide a fully integrated, high efficiency home heating system which is future-ready and can support long term carbon and cost savings for those living in the property.

Grant is also supporting those working on new build projects with a free of charge professional heating design service.

Barry Gorman, National Renewables Sales Manager explains: “To ensure the best suited heating system is installed within a property we offer a heating design service for those working on new build properties. This service has

proved very popular as it helps to save considerable time on projects and ensures a fully specified and correctly sized heating system to maximise efficiency and achieve relevant compliance under building regulations.”

In addition to designing and specifying the heating system, Grant also commission all installations of their Aerona heat pumps at no extra charge. Operational guidance is also provided along with attentive aftersales care.

Grant’s heating technologies are widely recognised for their exceptional reliability, efficiency, ease of installation, and ability to work together as part of an integrated heating system. This ensures not only optimal performance but also long-term carbon and cost savings for those living within the home. By combining cutting-edge design with sustainability, Grant’s products are contributing to a greener, more energyefficient future.

Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to innovation, Grant’s R&D team continues to enhance its product range with the launch of the next-generation Grant Aerona 290 heat pump. Designed in Ireland, specifically for the Irish and UK climate, the Grant Aerona 290 is already proving itself to be in another league in terms of efficiency and a significant addition to the Grant product portfolio.

Grant’s free of charge heating design service has been developed to help those working on new build developments to ensure the correct heating technology, size and specification is chosen for a property.

To avail of this service simply send property plans and choice of heat emitters to heatpump@grant.ie.

W: www.grant.ie

X: @GrantIRL

Instagram: @Grant_IRL

LinkedIn: Grant Engineering ULC

Barry Gorman, National Renewables Sales Manager, Grant

Grant Aerona 290 4Kw air to water heat pump.

Pathway to Ireland’s renewable gas network

Ireland is on the cusp of a significant energy transition, driven by the need to decarbonise and meet ambitious climate targets.

Central to this transition is the integration of renewable gases like biomethane and green hydrogen. Gas Networks Ireland is leading the charge, preparing its infrastructure and exploring innovative solutions to increase the volumes of biomethane and incorporate hydrogen into the national network.

With an ambitious plan to fully decarbonise Ireland’s gas infrastructure by 2045, Gas Networks Ireland is laying the groundwork for a future that supports 100 per cent renewable gases – efforts that are central to the company’s Pathway to a Net Zero Carbon Network strategy, which outlines a pathway to repurpose the existing gas network to transport renewable gases exclusively.

Biomethane: A key component of today’s renewable gas network

Currently, Gas Networks Ireland’s focus is on scaling up the use of biomethane — a carbon neutral, renewable gas made from organic waste. Over the past few years, Gas Networks Ireland has

made great strides in integrating biomethane into the national grid. Domestically produced biomethane has already started replacing natural gas, proving its potential to decarbonise sectors such as heating, industry and transport.

Biomethane offers a significant opportunity for Ireland, particularly given its agricultural resources. The European Commission has identified Ireland as having the highest potential per capita for biomethane production in Europe. Leveraging this resource will not only help meet climate targets but also provide new income streams for rural communities and strengthen Ireland’s energy security.

In April 2024, Gas Networks Ireland made a significant move by connecting Bord na Móna’s Edenderry Renewable Energy Complex to the national gas network. This project will allow renewable gas, including biomethane, to be integrated into the fuel mix, leading to an estimated 40 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions at the facility. Similarly, an

agreement with Irish Tar & Bitumen Suppliers Ltd. will replace 5 per cent of the company’s fuel usage with lowcarbon gases, cutting emissions by approximately 30 per cent.

May 2024 saw the signing of a landmark contract with Bia Energy, which will inject biomethane from their €60 million anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Huntstown directly into the national gas network. This project marks a significant milestone in the scale of biomethane production and integration in Ireland. In June 2024, Gas Networks Ireland supported the opening of the Republic of Ireland’s first dedicated BioCNG refuelling station in north Dublin, capable of cutting over 9,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year compared to dieselpowered HGVs.

These actions are all part of the foundation phase of Gas Networks Ireland’s pathway to a net zero gas network, setting the stage for much greater volumes of renewable gas in the years to come.

Ireland’s biomethane ambitions

The Government’s National Biomethane Strategy has set a target of producing 5.7 TWh of biomethane by 2030, but market interest suggests that this number could be much higher. According to Gas Networks Ireland, based on the 176 expressions of interest from potential biomethane producers received, the actual potential could be between 14 and 15 TWh — almost triple the current target.

Although it does not produce gas itself, Gas Networks Ireland plays an integral role in facilitating this growth by ensuring the gas network is prepared to accommodate higher volumes of biomethane, which is crucial for scaling up renewable gas production and injection capabilities.

To support this, Gas Networks Ireland is developing a Central Grid Injection (CGI) facility in Mitchelstown, County Cork, which will be a cornerstone of Ireland’s renewable gas infrastructure. Set to enter construction by the end of 2024, this

Pictured at the launch of Gas Networks Ireland’s Pathway to a Net Zero Carbon Network which outlines how the national gas network can transport 100 per cent renewable gas by 2045, were Gas Networks Ireland's Director of Strategy and Innovation, Edwina Nyhan; Chief Executive Officer, Cathal Marley (right); and broadcaster and former Minister for Agriculture, Ivan Yates.

facility will inject up to 700 GWh of renewable gas into the national network annually, contributing to 12 per cent of Ireland’s 2030 biomethane production target and reducing national CO2 emissions by 130,000 tonnes per year.

Gas Networks Ireland also launched a market sounding exercise, publishing a Prior Information Notice (PIN) on e-tenders to gauge interest in supplying biomethane. This will help assess the potential for buying biomethane directly, a first for Gas Networks Ireland, allowing the utility to align with market opportunities and regulatory frameworks in support of Ireland’s biomethane ambitions.

Green hydrogen: The long term vision

While biomethane is the renewable gas of today, green hydrogen is the long term vision for decarbonising sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy industry and high heat applications. Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water molecules using electricity from renewable sources like offshore wind. This process, known as electrolysis, generates hydrogen that can be stored and later used in power generation, transportation and industrial processes without emitting carbon dioxide.

However, hydrogen production at scale is still a few years away in Ireland.

According to Gas Networks Ireland producing hydrogen at scale requires a lot of offshore wind power. The future of hydrogen in Ireland is intrinsically tied to the development of offshore wind farms, which will provide the necessary renewable electricity for large scale hydrogen production. This process will likely take time, but Gas Networks Ireland is already preparing for the future by ensuring its network is hydrogenready.

Gas Networks Ireland’s pathway to a net zero carbon gas network expects hydrogen volumes to make up 4 per cent of gas on Ireland’s network by 2032 (1.3 TwH hydrogen of total forecast volume demand of 32 TwH); and by 2045 hydrogen to make up over 68 per cent of all gas on Ireland’s network (30.1 TwH hydrogen of total forecast volume demand of 44.1TwH).

Preparing the gas network for hydrogen

One of the most significant challenges in integrating hydrogen into Ireland’s energy system is ensuring that the existing gas infrastructure can safely transport this

new fuel. Hydrogen molecules are much smaller than natural gas, which raises concerns about material compatibility within the pipeline network.

Ireland with its modern gas network, is ahead of many European countries in this regard. Gas Networks Ireland is conducting extensive testing in partnership with academic institutions like the University College Dublin Energy Institute to ensure that the network can handle hydrogen blends. Their research has found that most domestic appliances, such as boilers, and industrial equipment can operate safely with up to 20 per cent hydrogen blended into natural gas, without requiring retrofitting.

This 20 per cent blend of hydrogen and natural gas is seen as a transitional step while green hydrogen production ramps up. Gas Networks Ireland is also preparing its two subsea interconnectors, which import 77 per cent of Ireland’s natural gas from the UK, to carry hydrogen blends. The expectation is that Britain, which is moving faster in hydrogen development, will begin blending hydrogen into its gas network in the next five years. As such, the first hydrogen to flow into Ireland may well come via these interconnectors, with Gas Networks Ireland ensuring the network can carry up to 2 per cent hydrogen.

Repurposing gas infrastructure for hydrogen

Gas Networks Ireland plans to repurpose existing natural gas infrastructure for the

transportation of hydrogen. According to industry estimates, repurposing gas pipelines to carry hydrogen could cost just 10 to 35 per cent of what it would take to build new hydrogen pipelines from scratch. This approach is not only cost effective but also leverages Ireland’s existing assets to accelerate the transition to renewable gases.

Hydrogen’s role in Ireland’s future energy mix

Green hydrogen has the potential to transform Ireland’s energy landscape. The EU predicts that by 2050, hydrogen could account for 14 per cent of Europe’s total energy consumption. In Ireland, hydrogen could play an even larger role, particularly in sectors that are hard to electrify.

By 2030, Ireland aims to have at least 2GW of green hydrogen capacity in development. Gas Networks Ireland’s vision includes a national hydrogen network that could eventually connect to the European Hydrogen Backbone, providing Ireland with opportunities to export surplus hydrogen to European markets.

For more information visit www.gasnetworks.ie

Pictured at the Gas Networks Ireland breakfast briefing on its ambitious Pathway to a Net Zero Carbon Network which outlines how the national gas network can transport 100 per cent renewable gas by 2045, were Gas Networks Ireland's Hydrogen Technical Manager, Wayne Mullins, showing a demo model of Hydrogen generation through electrolysis to Chief Executive, Hydrogen Ireland, Paul McCormack; and Head of Customer Care and Communications, Gas Networks Ireland, Kate Gannon.

Government outlines electricity storage future

The Electricity Storage Policy Framework 2024, prepared by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), provides a roadmap for integrating electricity storage systems (ESS) into Ireland’s energy future.

The Electricity Storage Policy Framework 2024, published in July 2024, aims to harness the full potential of the role storage plays in supporting grid stability, boosting renewable energy usage, and providing economic opportunities.

The framework emphasises that ESS are vital to supporting Ireland’s transition to a renewable energy-led electricity grid. The framework highlights three core functions of electricity storage.

1. Demand flexibility: Electricity storage systems can store surplus renewable energy when generation exceeds demand and release it during peak times. This helps avoid wastage and reduces the need for costly fossil fuel generation during high-demand periods.

2. Strategic grid build-out: As the State’s renewable energy infrastructure grows, electricity storage can help reduce strain on the grid by supporting areas with weaker infrastructure. By deploying storage systems strategically, grid operators can prevent congestion and ensure electricity flows smoothly across the country.

Electricity storage systems 10 policy actions

This policy framework presents 10 government actions to support the role of electricity storage systems in the energy transition. These actions are detailed below:

Maintain a technology neutrality in approaching all electricity storage systems DECC Commenced

Creation of a ‘sandbox’ project to advance both system operators’ technological knowledge of emerging electricity storage technologies

Convene an electricity storage and system services working group as part of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce

Convene a forum for an expanded group of stakeholders including statutory bodies, leading industry representatives and academic/interest groups

Support access to the wholesale electricity markets, arbitrage and revenue stacking for electricity storage systems

Support the immediate procurement of demand flexibility products and of (long duration) electricity storage to meet specific network needs, in the distribution and transmission systems respectively

Initiate a ‘quantity’ consultation to establish the optimal (long duration) electricity storage requirements to meet climate targets and electricity grid network expansion between 2030-2040

Initiate a ‘financial’ consultation to establish if the expected market mechanisms due between 2025-2028 will provide sufficient service provider certainty to meet the optimum (long duration) electricity storage systems requirements of 2030-2040

DECC, EirGrid, ESB Networks 2024 onward

DECC, CRU, EirGrid, ESB Networks Commenced

DECC and wider stakeholders 2024-2025

CRU, SEMO, DECC with the assistance of System Operators

CRU, EirGrid, ESB Networks 2024-2028

DECC with assistance from EirGrid, ESB Networks 2024-2028

If required and pending the outcome of the ‘financial’ consultation, develop a market framework to further incentivise the incorporation of (long duration) electricity storage system technologies to the grid to meet projected 2030-2040 requirements DECC with assistance from the CRU By the end of 2028

Ensure a route to market for the identified optimum (long duration) electricity storage requirements for 2030-2040 is in place before end of 2028

CRU with assistance from DECC By the end of 2028

3. System services: Electricity storage systems provide ancillary services like frequency and voltage regulation, ensuring that the grid remains balanced and stable even when renewable generation fluctuates. This is especially important as wind and solar, both non-synchronous power sources, are integrated into the grid.

Long-term growth

The framework recognises that the energy storage landscape is rapidly

evolving. While Ireland currently relies primarily on battery storage and the Turlough Hill Power Station in County Wicklow, new technologies are emerging that could play a key role in the future. These new technologies include hydrogen storage, which can provide seasonal storage solutions, and other innovative technologies that could help bridge the gap between renewable generation and consumption.

By supporting a diverse portfolio of storage technologies, the Government aims to ensure that the grid remains

“It is vital that Ireland exploits the full potential of electricity storage, and the publication of this policy framework is an important step to achieving this goal.”

resilient and flexible, even as the share of renewables in the energy mix increases.

European policy direction

The European Green Deal and RePowerEU both outline that electricity storage will play a “significant role” in achieving the EU targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030.

The EU’s Clean Energy Package states that electricity storage is a “key element” in the shift to renewables. It promotes market-based approaches to grid services, ensuring that storage systems are fairly compensated for the services they provide.

The Irish framework, as legally required, follows these principles, outlining that storage systems must be integrated into the grid in a way that aims to promote competition and lowers costs for consumers.

Implementation challenges

The framework outlines market saturation as a potential challenge to implementation. While short-duration storage systems – such as those providing power for between 30 minutes and four hours – are already playing an significant role in the grid, there is recognition that a growing number of similar projects could lead to

Minister Eamon Ryan TD

oversupply. The framework addresses this by shifting focus toward longduration storage, which is expected to play an increased role as renewable capacity increases.

Another challenge is the alignment of grid connection and planning processes. Under the current Enduring Connection Policy (ECP), electricity storage projects need to secure planning permission before applying for a grid connection. The framework advocates for streamlining these processes to accelerate the deployment of storage projects and meet Ireland’s climate goals.

Upon publication, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD said: “This policy framework sets out the present role of electricity storage in meeting our 2030 climate goals as well as addressing the future deployment of electricity storage in Ireland up to 2040.

“Electricity storage systems enhance and ensure security of electricity supply in the electricity network by storing excess renewable generation; managing peak demand; providing system services and supporting strategic grid build out.

“It is vital that Ireland exploits the full potential of electricity storage, and the publication of this policy framework is an important step to achieving this goal.”

Significant opportunity to deliver renewable heating solutions using solid biomass

Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) CEO

Seán Finan outlines the opportunities to decarbonise Ireland’s heat through expansion of the solid biomass (wood) sector.

Bioenergy is a reliable, proven and globally deployed renewable energy technology. In 2021, it was the largest source of renewable energy in the EU, accounting for 59 per cent of all renewable energy generated of which 71 per cent was comprised of solid biofuels. Renewable heat deployment in Ireland is the lowest in the EU at 5.2 per cent, compared to an EU average of 22.9 per cent.

Role of the Irish Bioenergy Association

While the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) is the representative body for the sectors of biomass, biogas/biomethane, biofuels, biochar, wood fuels and energy crops, the focus of this article is on the opportunities within the solid biomass (wood) sector. Further details at www.irbea.org.

IrBEA manages and administers the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA)

scheme which certifies the suppliers of wood fuel including woodchip, pellet, wood briquette and firewood. Further details at www.wfqa.org.

IrBEA is also a national supporting body for SURE, a body which provides sustainability certification services to biomass suppliers.

The solid biomass indigenous resource

Solid biomass used for renewable heat is derived from sustainably managed forests, with woodchip and pellet generally used in industrial and commercial heating. In Ireland, the Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD) forecasts that the solid biomass resource will increase from the current level of approximately 9.5 PJ/year to 15-16 PJ/year by the middle of the next decade. To put this in context in volume terms, 1PJ is the equivalent of 85,000 tonnes of woodchip at 35 per cent moisture content. In 2022, according to SEAI, 93 per cent of all solid biomass used in Ireland was indigenous.

Established supply chain

Ireland has a well-established, modern, and efficient network of forestry biomass contractors and an established nationwide network of woodchip suppliers with significant capacity for expansion of this network. In addition, Ireland also has significant skills, knowledge and capacity to design, install, operate and maintain biomass heating systems.

Sustainability and air quality

Solid biomass sustainability is strictly governed by the Renewable Energy Directive and sourced using sustainable forest management practices and techniques. Strict EU regulations exist regarding air emissions with the thermal input/output of the heating system determining which legislative instrument governs the specific emission and air quality standards.

Financial models and supports

There are several types of supply and contractual arrangements available to heat users. An Energy Supply Contract (ESCO) is preferred by many heat users as it takes responsibility for fuelling, operating and maintaining the biomass heating system, with the heat user paying for the units of heat delivered. For heat users, the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) is a 15-year SEAI administered operational support for biomass heating systems. There are several hundred biomass heating systems operating successfully across Ireland.

The IrBEA solid biomass capacity statement

IrBEA has recently launched a solid biomass capacity statement which demonstrates the capacity of the sector to deliver decarbonised heating solutions using solid biomass.

Further details are available at: www.irbea.org/sbc-statement

Seán Finan

Challenges and opportunities for green hydrogen in a future energy system

To meet our climate targets, the global economy must reach net zero emissions by 2050. While it is anticipated that much of this will be facilitated by electrification, hydrogen may play a role in decarbonising the ‘toughest third’ of our energy supply, writes Niall Farrell, Senior Research Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

Cost, rather than technological feasibility, is the primary factor determining the extent with which hydrogen may feature. There are many known processes to synthesise zero carbon ‘green’ hydrogen, and the transport of hydrogen once produced is relatively straightforward. Gas Networks Ireland, in its recent hydrogen feasibility study, has noted that the Irish gas network can readily facilitate hydrogen blends of up to 20 per cent, with 100 per cent hydrogen possible with some modifications.

Cost

When evaluating cost, one must first consider the projected production cost. Production costs are primarily influenced by the rate of electrolyser deployment and the cost of electricity generated using renewable sources, which is used to synthesise green hydrogen. Electrolyser costs will fall with greater international rollout.

Aurora Energy Research tracks electrolyser deployment in its rolling

database, which finds a strong and growing pipeline of electrolyser production. If the planned development materialises, production costs could fall sharply in the coming years. The cost of renewable electricity has fallen considerably in recent years, although inflation may be putting upward pressure on costs in the short term.

Capital and renewable electricity costs are not the sole factor determining cost competitiveness – the proportion of time with which the electrolyser is in use (the ‘capacity factor’) has a considerable influence on the cost per unit synthesised. This may have important implications for Irish industrial policy.

Ireland’s hydrogen strategy places a strong emphasis on locally-produced green hydrogen. However, there may be competition. The IEA’s global hydrogen review suggests that locations that can exploit both solar and wind resources can provide the strongest capacity factors and therefore cheapest hydrogen. In 2023, the IEA

“Hydrogen’s role in the future energy system will likely be determined by the cost of hydrogen synthesis and the cost competitiveness of hydrogen-based technologies.”

Niall Farrell, Senior Research Officer, ESRI

identified the west of Ireland among the best-placed to produce green hydrogen, but Irish producers may wish to investigate whether electrolysers can use both wind and solar-sourced electricity to maximise capacity factor. A backup source of electricity, such as a grid connection or storage, may provide electricity when the wind does not blow. This may also improve the capacity factor and therefore the competitiveness of Irish hydrogen. Of course, gridsourced electricity is not necessarily 100 per cent carbon-free, and the hydrogen produced may not receive ‘green’ hydrogen status.

Application

While the cost of the hydrogen itself is important, adoption is ultimately determined by the extent with which applications, such as use for heat or transport, are cost competitive with non-hydrogen alternatives. These will now be discussed.

Transport

Much research suggests that electric vehicles are more likely to provide a cost-effective decarbonised transport solution, particularly for light vehicles such as private cars. There is a greater likelihood that hydrogen could fuel heavy goods vehicles, however, uncertainty remains.

Heating

Hydrogen-based space heating is at an early stage of development. Cost projections are therefore speculative; estimates suggest that costs must fall considerably to be competitive with electric heat pumps. It should be noted that cost is not the only factor determining technology adoption. Inconvenience, disruption, and other non-financial costs are of notable magnitude for home insulation upgrades, for instance. This could impede timely decarbonisation through electrification, given that insulation investment is often required to accompany heat pump installation. Should hydrogen provide a less-invasive alternative, it may have a role to play, even if more expensive than electric alternatives. Further research is required to understand to what extent such preferences exist and influence technology choice.

Should widescale hydrogen heating systems be considered, policy should be mindful of the lead-in time required. In 2016, Dorrington et al discussed the transition in the UK from ‘town gas’ to natural gas in the 1970s, noting that the required conversion of appliances and infrastructure took around 10 years to complete. While the lead time is not necessarily the same for hydrogen conversion of the gas network, it is an important factor, and must be considered in the context of a 2050 deadline. Indeed, this is also an important factor for electrification.

Industrial applications and electricity

Industrial processes require a very low cost of green hydrogen to be competitive with alternatives. This suggests that the cost competitiveness may be achieved at a late date in our decarbonisation transition. The use of hydrogen in the electricity sector could well transpire in the context of long-term storage. This is likely to become a pressing requirement as Ireland approaches and surpasses its 80 per cent 2030 renewable electricity penetration target.

Conclusion

Hydrogen’s role in the future energy system will likely be determined by the cost of hydrogen synthesis and the cost competitiveness of hydrogen-based technologies. The former is of particular interest for Irish industrial strategy.

Irish hydrogen production may have to compete with that produced elsewhere, particularly from locations that enjoy a combination of suitable wind and solar resources. Electric transport and heating applications are likely to be most cost effective, given current information. However, hydrogen may have a role if non-financial barriers are prohibiting decarbonisation through electrification.

Further research is required to understand the extent with which hydrogen may contribute. For industrial processes, the cost of hydrogen must fall considerably to be competitive. This may lead to adoption in the latter years as we approach 2050. Hydrogen may have a role in long-term electricity storage. In an Irish context, this is likely to be of increasing importance as renewable electricity penetration grows.

Ensuring secure and stable electricity grid operations

KPMG hosted a round table discussion with key stakeholders across the electricity sector to discuss how increasing renewable generation is impacting on grid security and the role of supporting technologies.

What impact is the transition from conventional generation to greater levels of renewables having on the electricity grid?

Eoin Kennedy

As Transmission System Operator (TSO), integrating large amounts of variable, non-synchronous renewables like wind and solar, presents a range of technical and operational challenges. Over the last decade, EirGrid, in conjunction with SONI in Northern Ireland, has made huge strides in operating the power system with very high levels of variable renewable generation and currently up to 75 per cent of Ireland’s electricity generation can come from variable renewables at

any one time. However, a significant further evolution of the operation of the power system will be required to achieve the unprecedented levels being targeted.

Caitríona Sheridan

A lot of the operational challenges around the amount of wind that can be taken on to the network have been overcome. However, from a developer perspective, what we are witnessing is dispatch down of some 20 to 30 per cent. As a result, we need to build a grid ready for the future and EirGrid’s Shaping our Energy Future is a roadmap for that. The Government is targeting 20GW of wind and solar energy generation by 2030, but our peak demand on the island will be around 8GW, so we need to think about how we can maximise use of the grid and increasing demand for renewable electricity.

James Delahunt

Curtailment and the viability of future projects is clearly one of the most important elements for existing developers as we transition to greater levels of renewables. For those

operating the grid, the scale of change needed and resources required is something that has never been experienced before. The upshot is that there is an impetus for all involved to think about how our grid works, and where investment must be prioritised. When you look at somewhere like the United States, where they are pushing for a more developer-led grid, it is clear that there are opportunities to build on a recognised need for investment and innovation in Ireland’s grid.

Laura Mehigan

Not that long ago, the ambition for renewables underpinned the questioning of long-held beliefs of what was possible on our grid, to the point where the TSO became a world-leader in the integration of instantaneous renewables. It also drove developers to influence their supply chains to meet stricter technical requirements that were needed to facilitate extra renewables. That is something that we need to continue into the future, to really push technologies to deliver what is needed to maintain stability.

Rory Griffin

Originally, the grid was designed from power flowing from generation down to the distribution mode. What we have seen with a lot of renewables connecting is a reverse power flow. So now you have a lot of power getting onto the transmission grid, trying to make its way to the demand centres. It has been a reverse of the fundamentals, and credit of the system operator, that have facilitated the renewables we have got up to 75 per cent. There are clear targets to try and get more, and I think the technologies are coming out to help that.

Peter Harte

The most obvious impact is the huge decarbonisation of our electricity grid we have witnessed over the past two decades. The integration of wind and solar onto the grid in the face of growing demand is a big win. I think there is a common misconception that increased levels of renewables on the grid mean instability, when I would argue that the opposite is the case. Historically, we had five or six large generators and disruption to any of these meant a huge shock to grid frequency. In reality, smaller and more diverse generation brings a surprising level of reliability.

What must be done to ensure grid security as the percentage of renewable sources increase? What ancillary services are needed?

Peter Harte

In anticipation of a worst-case scenario event – such as the shutdown of a 500MW HVDC interconnector – there must always be adequate reserve capacity on the system. We have that capacity. Previously, it was procured via fossil fuels but is now being procured from a battery fleet. We do not need any more reserve capacity, and, in fact, we have enough battery capacity – even when the Celtic Interconnector is connected – to jump from 500MW to 700MW. When considering other ancillary services that we may need in the future, the foremost is reactive power. The batteries we have are capable of providing reactive power but, unfortunately, we did not have a sufficiently sophisticated market system to encourage them to locate in the regions where they could do so. Now, the challenge is to build additional reactive power at additional cost. The lesson is to get ahead of these 4

Round table participants

James Delahunt

James Delahunt is a Corporate Finance Partner specialising in M&A and financing transactions. He also co-leads the deal advisory work of KPMG Sustainable Futures, and has advised on transactions with a cumulative value in excess of €5 billion. He completed a bachelor in business and law (European) at University College Dublin before qualifying as a barrister at law (BL) in the Honourable Society of Kings Inns and is a qualified chartered accountant (ACA) and chartered tax adviser (CTA).

Rory Griffin

Rory Griffin is a chartered electrical engineer with 21 years of experience in the energy industry holding operational roles with the TSO, conventional power generation and more recently developing grid services assets. Since 2022, he has managed the Statkraft Grid Services team who develop storage and grid stability projects.

Laura Mehigan

Laura Mehigan is grid services manager at Ørsted where she guides grid strategy for development and M&A projects and identifies opportunities for innovative technologies. Before joining Ørsted in 2022, she worked for MAREI and prior to that spent over a decade with EirGrid. She holds a PhD in engineering and a degree in electrical engineering from UCC. She is chair of WEI’s Grid Capacity work group, vice chair of ISEA’s Grid Committee, and is a member of EirGrid’s Shaping Our Electricity Future (SOEF) Advisory Council.

Peter Harte

Peter Harte is the CEO of Net Zero Energy. He studied mechanical engineering in university, and then spent the early part of his career working for Accenture before joining SWS Energy in 2003, where he co-founded Element Power. Harte was responsible for the first ‘supplier-lite’ PPA, he conceived and created the 500MW Greenlink Interconnector project, and secured, designed and delivered grid connection capacity for close to 1GW of Irish wind projects. He has sat on EirGrid’s DS3 Advisory Committee for more than a decade, and was the Chair of the Irish Wind Energy Association for six years.

Eoin Kennedy

Eoin Kennedy is head of future operations at EirGrid Group where he is responsible for leading the programme to develop and put in place the operational systems, tools, services and policies required to operate the power system in 2030. He has worked for over 15 years across a variety of roles with EirGrid. Prior to that, he spent several years working in academia and holds a PhD in electronic engineering from DCU and an MBA from UCD Smurfit Business School.

Caitríona Sheridan

Caitríona Sheridan is a senior engineer at Bord na Móna and is part of the team leading the Bord na Móna Eco-Energy Parks. Prior to joining Bord na Móna, she held roles in network planning and system integrity at EirGrid, and was a consultant power systems engineer in London for Rina Consulting. Sheridan graduated from UCC in 2011 as an electrical and electronic engineer, before completing a PhD in HVDC technologies from Imperial College London.

“We can learn from international experiences whereby incentivisation or clear policy signals have enabled the market to bring the solutions forward.”

James Delahunt

technologies and implement sufficiently sophisticated procurement.

Rory Griffin

Fault level is an important service also. When removing conventional generation and achieving a 100 per cent renewable energy system, protective systems must still operate correctly on the grid. Synchronous condensers provide reactive power, fault level, and inertia, so strategically locating those could help stabilise the grid. As part of the first Low Carbon Inertia Services auction (LCIS), EirGrid identified weaker zones on the power system in a 2026 system study. The LCIS auction then incentivised projects to locate in these areas through the creation of locational scarcity scalars. Consequently, it will be interesting to see what the subsequent EirGrid study determines for the LCIS 2 auction. With offshore projects concentrated on the east coast, there will be a focus on Dublin – where there is a lot of demand, and the fault level has been traditionally high. However, with conventional units making space for offshore wind, there may be fault level requirements across the east coast.

Eoin

Kennedy

System services will be critically

important in terms of managing the resilience of the power system into the future. We are going to need new system service capabilities to manage the new technical and operational challenges. EirGrid has completed a review of the reserve services – as part of the Future Arrangements for System Services programme (FASS) that is ongoing – and submitted it to the regulatory authorities. We will undertake a similar review for nonreserve services in 2025. Considering the operation of the power system amid increased penetration of renewable energy and the need to minimise

dispatch down, we must deliver across a range of fronts. Firstly, we must make the grid more resilient and more flexible. Secondly, we must enhance our ability to study and model new phenomena that emerge as we increase renewable energy penetration and understand what the potential solutions are. Thirdly, we must set and clarify operational standards in the Grid Code. Finally, we must remove barriers to new technologies so that they can be implemented at scale, while ensuring that we have the right control centre tools and capabilities to manage the increased complexity of the grid.

James Delahunt

Delivering on the transmission aspect of Shaping our Electricity Future –alongside greater levels of demand-side flexibility – is going to be very important and we are working with creative developers who are seeking to deliver innovative solutions. Similarly, there is a subset of broader policy signals to the market, which can stimulate investment in solutions for grid stability and grid capacity.

Laura Mehigan

We are now observing the impact of delayed infrastructure delivery, particularly in Northern Ireland, which has experienced extremely significant constraints and dispatch down. However, there are quick wins to increase the percentage of renewable energy on the system. These include an acceleration in the forthcoming hybrid connection policy to maximise utilisation of the existing grid, using dynamic line rating (DLR) to sweat the existing network to maximum benefit,

“There is a range of storage durations needed but we must marry deployment with the build out of renewable generation.” Laura Mehigan

and repowering – often a forgotten consideration. For instance, onshore windfarms which were constructed in the 2000s are approaching end of life in the next decade and technology has advanced in the interim. As such, there is an opportunity to enhance systems services as well as providing additional MW. In this context, there must be an acceleration of the permitting and grid connection process as required under the European Commission’s RED III Directive.

How will storage ensure greater grid stability?

Caitríona Sheridan

Earlier this year, the two interconnectors tripped and no one really noticed, which is evidence that storage is already offering stability and security on the grid. However, there is a recognised need to develop storage for longer durations. Regardless of what that technology looks like, there is a need for market direction and market certainty because at the moment the investment case is not there to progress with longer duration storage solutions. Beyond intermittent renewables and grid stability, longer duration storage will also be crucial to deal with congestion management. Where previously dispatch down was a recognised challenge for assets in the north-west, we are now seeing that challenge spread to the midlands and solutions are required.

James Delahunt

DS3 has been very helpful in ensuring that short duration storage already has a role in grid stability. However, as the scale of renewables increases, particularly through offshore wind, long duration storage development is critical to facilitating further penetration and ensuring Ireland remains attractive to renewable investors. We can learn from international experiences whereby incentivisation or clear policy signals have enabled the market to bring the solutions forward.

Peter Harte

We modelled every hour of demand versus wind and solar over the past 40 years and estimate the need for up to 600 hours of storage, however, for most years, the need is only 100 hours. We think long duration energy storage in and around 100 hours is optimum but there is a temptation to incrementally build up to that capacity, when in fact, the optimal approach is to start there. We think that Ireland should be looking at running a system with 5GW to 6GW of 100 hours storage and

“For storage to ensure greater grid stability, network charging needs to be more dynamic and more favourable.” Rory Griffin

if you are running that level of storage and flexibility, then you completely rewrite the grid problem. With those levels of long-duration storage, we would not need to do anything more to get to a 100 per cent decarbonised power system than to build the renewables already in progress and build the grid already planned for 2030. Beyond that, demand may grow, but a 100 per cent decarbonised system is a good foundation for going forward.

Laura Mehigan

I agree that long duration storage is a major part of the future, but I would argue for the need at the transition. The development of renewable generation and the build out of storage must go hand-in-hand. Currently, I do not think you can deploy a host of storage and expect them only to be charged by renewables. I would also be of the view that lack of maturity of some longer duration storage solutions when compared to short and medium solutions means greater risk in supply chains and in delivery, meaning we should not be placing all our eggs in one basket. There is a range of storage durations needed but we must marry deployment with the build out of renewable generation or we risk charging that storage with fossil fuel generation.

Rory Griffin

For storage to ensure greater grid stability, network charging needs to be more dynamic and more favourable.

Currently there is a penalty for storage for acting as demand and generator and that does not support the business case for these technologies. As more technologies class themselves as long duration storage, I think we need to give greater consideration to location, ensuring that these technologies not only support the grid but also that we achieve social acceptance.

Eoin Kennedy

EirGrid’s view, based on the work we did as part of the Shaping Our Electricity Future Roadmap, is that we need a balanced portfolio of different technologies – and long duration energy storage is going to be a critical part of that portfolio. Out to 2030, storage will be required for reserve provision, capacity adequacy, congestion management, and to help manage surplus renewable generation while minimising the amount of renewable generation needed to meet the overall government target. Towards the end of 2023, we published a call for evidence on market procurement options for long duration storage and we intend to consult on that before the end of 2024. 4

“We need to think about how we can maximise use of the grid and increasing demand for renewable electricity.” Caitríona Sheridan

What role will synchronous condensers have in ensuring grid stability?

Caitríona Sheridan

Synchronous condensers are already having an impact. The operational policy has changed with the minimum number of units constrained reducing to seven units on the island, with the synchronous condenser MP5 at Moneypoint adding the bulk of the additional inertia. The challenge is that synchronous condenser MP5 cannot run simultaneously with MP2 due to station arrangements. The buildout of the next generation of synchronous condensers, as per the Low Carbon Inertia Services (LCIS) procurement, will be significant in addressing that challenge.

Rory Griffin

Synchronous condensers will allow lighter units onto the grid to bridge the gap in an emergency situation scenario when there is low renewable electricity. Consider the criteria for the SIR product – the inertia product in the DS3 market – 100MW open-cycle gas turbines would not have qualified; they were too light. However, if synchronous condensers are running and quick acting plant are required to come on, inadvertently, this will facilitate a many more smaller units on the system

Laura Mehigan

In turn, this will reduce displacement of renewables by conventional generation. There is a role in the next phase of the LCIS procurement to consider other, more advanced technologies as well as synchronous condensers. For example, there have been significant improvements in technologies such as grid-forming converters that can provide similar but synthetic versions of the services that synchronous condensers provide.

Rory Griffin

I understand why EirGrid limited phase one of LCIS procurement to synchronous condensers because in bringing off a conventional unit of 300 tonnes rotating, there is peace of mind in that the synchronous generator is replacing one heavy rotating machine for another one. Given that it is a small island system, I can understand why the TSO is cautious. We are on our own and lightly interconnected. Let’s see what happens in phase two.

James Delahunt

It is important that the environment is right for synchronous condensers to be delivered – ensuring that when contracts are awarded, that each bid is viable. We are all aware of well documented reasons for previous supply chain disruption and failure to deliver. Equally, however, these are expensive machines that are logistically challenging to procure from the supply chain, to construct, and to connect. We must be flexible in assessing viability, particularly when an individual or organisation is not in full receipt of capital expenditure during a contracted period. Elsewhere, in other jurisdictions, we are observing signals that following the contracted period, while the revenue mechanism may not be fully clear, there will be a use for these machines on the system. This helps generate greater security for the people who are promoting these projects and raising the finance to get them delivered. In a world where interest rates are more volatile, there is an impact on the capital required to build

“We are going to need new system service capabilities to manage the new technical and operational challenges.” Eoin Kennedy

synchronous condensers. Ultimately, it is necessary to ensure that credible promoters receive a price that works and that there are not any additional barriers to delivery.

Peter Harte

Synchronous condensers are not going to add to or detract from the stability of the grid; a certain amount of inertia is required on the grid, and it can be derived from either conventional plant or synchronous condensers. As long as you have enough inertia, the grid is stable. What synchronous condensers have done – more than any other single grid investment in the last decade – is unlock a spectacular deal for the consumer. We have wasted hundreds of millions of euro each year burning fuel to constrain on CCGTs which are painfully unsuited to the task of providing inertia. We frequently did not need to turn on CCGTs for energy – we had enough wind on the system – but we turned them on for inertia, wasting fuel and costing us nearly €600 million per annum as per the 2025 projections. When we get the synchronous condensers on, we can release the CCGTs from the duty they were never suited to, instead relying on batteries for reserves and synchronous condensers for inertia, making a major reduction in the above cost per annum. In this context, given the relatively low capex required, savings amount to a one- or two-year payback. It is a spectacular deal for the consumer.

Eoin Kennedy

The operational trial in 2024 was a significant step for EirGrid in reducing the minimum unit requirement from eight to seven across the island and it was very successful. We know that we must continue to reduce that minimum requirement over the coming years. EirGrid hopes to take a decision before the end of 2024 to increase the amount of Ireland's electricity generation that can come from variable renewables at any one time from 75 to 80 per cent. Synchronous condensers will play a significant role in increasing this further again, but there are many other aspects which must also be delivered. Recently, we closed the first phase of LCIS procurement, and our attention is now turning towards the development and connection of those contracted projects which we anticipate will deploy synchronous condenser technology. In terms of phase two, we expect to conclude studies in the near future before consulting with industry on our approach and requirements ahead of commencing procurement in 2025.

“We think that Ireland should be looking at running a system with 5GW to 6GW of 100 hours storage and if you are running that level of storage and flexibility, then you completely rewrite the grid problem.” Peter Harte

Laura Mehigan

Synchronous condensers are a great stepping stone towards delivering zero carbon system services as flagged in Climate Action Plan 2024 as “an urgent priority”.

What one thing can we do to ensure the security of supply during the winter peak?

James Delahunt

Primarily, implement the findings of the Government’s Review of the Security of Energy Supply of Ireland’s Electricity and Natural Gas Systems, which had consultation responses published in 2023.

Laura Mehigan

Additionally, for future winter peaks, building out the renewables already targeted, including offshore, is essential alongside energy storage. That will improve the diversity in renewables profiles and will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels overall.

Rory Griffin

Beyond generation, we need to look at proper demand-side management and the social acceptance that needs to come with that. There are now smart metres in many homes but the signalling is not quite strong enough to, for example, reduce our winter peak if needed. Covid was a good example of how effective communication can guide society and we should take learning from that.

Peter Harte

Security of supply will continue to be a struggle until we can solve the problem which is how do we decarbonise the traditional power plant facilities that are needed to be built out to 2030. No one is going to build a power plant if they cannot see a decarbonised pathway for that asset and until that exists, we will struggle with security of supply.

Eoin Kennedy

We have focused heavily on renewable integration, which is important, but a core focus for EirGrid is ensuring security of supply when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining. To do so, we need sufficient levels of dispatchable capacity. Shaping Our Electricity Future sets out that we need at least 2GW of new dispatchable gas generation capacity over the coming years. Ultimately, CRU has responsibility for security of supply in Ireland and we are working closely with it and the Department to implement that security of supply plan raised by James. It is critical that we continue to implement that plan.

Caitríona Sheridan

Investment certainty across all the different technologies is required to meet the challenges in the coming years. Whether that is for storage or what RESS 5 looks like, adequate market certainty is a necessity if we are to ensure developer confidence.

Energy security in an all-island context

Refreshing the All-Island Grid Study could be a key enabler of a net zero electricity system by 2035, suggests MaREI Director Brian Ó Gallachóir.

Carried out as the first comprehensive assessment of the ability of the electrical power system to absorb large amounts of electricity produced from renewable energy sources on the island, the AllIsland Grid Study of 2008 underpinned the achievement of the 2020 target to deliver a 40 per cent renewable share of electricity generation, indicates Ó Gallachóir.

Now, in the face of the pre-existing benefits of greater all-island energy integration being overlooked, not least because both jurisdictions are developing separate energy security strategies despite worrying short- to medium-term generation adequacy projections, he believes refreshing the study could serve to re-emphasise the benefits of all-island energy system integration.

Ó Gallachóir’s recommendation is delivered in a context whereby both jurisdictions have pledged to reach net zero economies by 2050, suggesting a need for a net zero energy system by 2040, underpinned by a net zero electricity system by 2035.

Stressing the importance of an integrated all-island approach to reaching this target if energy security is to be maintained, Ó Gallachóir also recommends the establishment of an allisland gas storage plan.

Context

Mapping the development of very significant all-island electricity and gas infrastructure back to 1970, when the North-South Electricity Interconnector was built, the Associate Vice-President for Sustainability at University College Cork (UCC) indicates that co-operation post-Good Friday Agreement on market and infrastructure improvements, combined with increased interconnection to the island, has prevented electricity shortfalls, despite rising demand over the past two to three decades, fueled by economic and population growth.

A further element of the all-island approach to energy infrastructure was the working partnership, and later acquisition, of the System Operator

Northern Ireland (SONI) by EirGrid, to assess generation adequacy on the island as a whole.

“The Generation System Adequacy 2012-2021 gave us a 10-year projection of the surplus or deficit in terms of electricity generation and has been a continuously important tool to inform the energy market as to where there might be pinch points and potential shortfalls in electricity generation capacity,” explains Ó Gallachóir.

The system adequacy report indicated large levels of surplus electricity on an all-island basis, but highlighted tight margins for Northern Ireland from 2016 onwards in the absence of the planned second North-South Interconnector. Post-Brexit referendum, a further 10-year prediction carried out in 2017, saw even starker warnings were issued for both jurisdictions, which the academic explains has been critical to market, regulation, and policy considerations to ensure security of supply.

“Alongside the many visible benefits of

Generation system adequacy 2017-2026

Source: EirGrid and SONI 2017.

the all-island single electricity market and energy infrastructure, including energy prices and security, the system adequacy report is a good example of those hidden benefits, which often go underappreciated.”

Similarly, system integration on the island has been a key enabler of the renewable electricity transition, and in particular, the growth of wind energy. This has helped to manage the significant demand growth challenge and progress was exemplified by exceeding the 40 per cent renewable penetration on the electricity grid by 2020 target.

Also significant has been the role of gas, acting as a backbone to electricity generation, while aiding the transition away from oil and coal as fuels.

Pointing to data from December 2023, a record month which saw 50 per cent of the all-island electricity demand met by renewables for more than 60 per cent of the time, Ó Gallachóir describes it as a “phenomenal achievement”, which has been underpinned by strong policy impetus.

“In the context of the all-Island single electricity market and energy infrastructure on an all-island basis, it was really the peace process which enabled that progress. Five years after the agreement was signed, the All-island Energy Market Joint Steering Group (JSG) was established, and that was followed by a number of significant developments including a memorandum

Tight margins for Ireland from 2022

Deficits in Northern Ireland 2020

of understanding between the regulators, the system operator agreement between EirGrid and SONI as transmission operators, and the common arrangements for gas,” he says.

Highlighting challenges to that early progress which have occured since the transition from the all-island Single Electricity Market to the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) in 2018, Ó Gallachóir points to the impact of Brexit, and the subsequent increase of electricity prices.

Similarly, he describes the Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply (2021) and the National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection (2023) as “lukewarm, if not cold” on the prospect of greater interconnection with Northern Ireland. Equally, both jurisdictions could be accused of framing their energy security policies inwardly, and not on an all-island basis.

One example, he indicates, is the Government’s Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 policy document, which suggests the need for gas storage to assist with balancing the electricity system, overlooking an existing license for gas storage in salt caverns in Islandmagee, County Antrim.

“From my perspective, we have seen a period where the eye has been taken off the ball – due in part to Brexit and periods of absence of a Northern Ireland Executive – to progress all-island energy security.

“Latest projections from SONI and EirGrid show deficits in the coming years, particularly in medium and high demand scenarios, meaning that we have a problem. That speaks to the need to ensure that we do not have to rely on emergency supplies, that we can get the market mechanisms in place to enable the capacity remuneration as is required, and transform the system, particularly as we move to the ambitious targets we have set for renewables in the future.”

Pointing to existing opportunities, Ó Gallachóir highlights the emergence of a number of renewable hubs across the island as depictions of policy progression and states that approval for the second North-South Interconnector with a target commissioning date of 2026 is “welcome”.

Concluding, Ó Gallachóir says: “The 2008 All-Island Grid Study provided a really strong foundation for Ireland meeting its 40 per cent renewable electricity target. Given that both jurisdictions have committed to climate neutrality by 2050, and given our high agricultural dependence, it is suggested that we need to have a net zero power system by 2035, which is a tall order.

“I believe refreshing the All-island Grid Study would be a useful mechanism to ensuring an all-island focus on that 2035 ambition. That focus should also be turned to exploring the gas storage potential on an all-island basis.”

Beyond ‘brown to green’

Energy.

Head of Renewable Energy, John Reilly, discusses the transformation of Bord na Móna into one of the largest generators of renewable electricity in the Irish market and outlines an ambition to have operational assets totalling 2GW by 2030.

On 23 December 2023, Ireland’s last Megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity from the burning of peat was generated at Edenderry Power Station in County Offaly, marking the successful completion of Bord na Móna’s radical ‘Brown to Green’ strategy.

Once a leading player in the domestic heating market, as recently as 2015, Bord na Móna partly contributed to the almost three million tonnes of direct CO2 emissions from peat-fired generation in Ireland.

Today, Bord na Móna’s transition to a successful climate solutions and renewable energy company is showcased as an international exemplar of how organisations involved in the fossil fuel industry can embrace – and thrive in – the energy transition.

The fact that the whole electricity sector is predicted to emit between just six and seven million tonnes of CO2 in 2024 is evidence of the emission reduction progress being made through the transitional actions of organisations like

Bord na Móna. Reilly is proud of the company’s journey to date, but affirms that the removal of peat from the Irish energy mix is just “phase one” of Bord na Móna’s role in the energy transition.

The need to remove peat-fired generation in Ireland was officially signalled by the ending of the Public Services Obligation in 2016 but rather than winding up the business, Bord na Móna boldly opted to replace the generation from peat in the electricity sector with renewable forms of generation.

John Reilly, Head of Renewable

Reilly explains that, to date, this has mainly equated to replacing peat with sustainable biomass at the Edenderry Power Station and replacing the MWh of generation that previously came from peat with other forms of renewable generation.

Land bank

One of the strategic advantages which is essential to Bord na Móna’s transition from its traditional industry highlighted by Reilly is its 80,000 hectare land bank, which has been central to its operations.

“It is important to stress that Bord na Móna has always been an energy company and our land bank has always played a crucial role in Ireland’s security of energy supply. There is a nice symmetry in the fact that this land bank will continue to play a crucial role in the provision of secure energy for the State, by enabling us to capture the energy that blows over it or shines down on it,” says Reilly.

Renewable generation

Between 2010 and 2020, Bord na Móna doubled its level of installed capacity in the Irish electricity sector to 500MW and between 2020 to 2025 has almost doubled that again – meaning that by the end of 2025, it will have almost 1GW of operational renewable assets. This is made up of one of the largest onshore wind portfolios on the island of some 600MW, 118MW of baseload capacity in the form of biomass-fuelled generation, and Bord na Móna’s first soon-to-be-operational utility-scale solar project, part of a co-development agreement with ESB.

Asked why, given its evident success in onshore wind development, Bord na Móna continues to diversify its renewable portfolio, Reilly states: “Diversification is important to us because we want our portfolio to mirror the needs of the electricity power system as a whole. While wind and solar will play a huge role in our future energy system, it is recognised that intermittent renewables will not meet all the needs of the power system at all times.

“Therefore, we see the value in access to backup capacity, which is where biomass provides baseload capacity, but we are also very interested in investing in technologies that support the increased deployment of those intermittent renewables.

“As a sector, we have delivered close to 5GW of operational onshore wind to date, which means there is little reason that we cannot quickly raise that to 10GW.”

“So, we are interested in investing in further flexible gas-fired capacity, for example, and have just commissioned our first battery project, which is a 25MW, three-hour battery.”

However, while Bord na Móna will continue to diversify its renewable portfolio in an effort to mirror the electricity demand out to 2040, Reilly emphasises that onshore wind will continue to be a massive part of renewable energy generation in the coming years and, as such, is an area of strategic ambition for Bord na Móna.

“Our ambition now is to double our current capacity again between now and 2030,” he says, adding: “The question is, can we deliver an additional 600MW to 700MW in the period from now to 2030. It is a significant challenge, but that is our ambition.”

Challenge

Outlining the barriers inhibiting the ambition of moving from 1GW to 2GW of operating assets in the coming years, the Head of Renewable Energy specifically points to the challenges in navigating the planning system.

“Unfortunately, what we have seen in recent years is a significant increase in the time it takes to get any major infrastructure project through the system – and this challenge is not unique to energy.

“The planning system is struggling to cope with the level of change required in modern Ireland and I think we are seeing recognition of that in the Government’s discussions around the possible creation of a Department for Infrastructure.

“Our 600MW of operational onshore wind capacity is evidence of our ability to deliver. As a sector, we have delivered close to 5GW of operational onshore wind to date, which means there is little reason that we cannot quickly raise that to 10GW. For now, the global market is still very much focused on Ireland as an investment destination but the planning system represents the biggest bottleneck and barrier to our growth objectives.”

Reilly outlines an assessment completed by Bord na Móna that suggests the potential for 3GW of installed capacity on its landbank alone, which could be in place by 2035 under an efficient planning system.

He suggests that a slowdown in growth – largely attributed to the planning system – coupled with growing demand has prolonged the necessity for onshore wind development for at least the next decade, where previously it was expected that greater project delivery focus would be given to the offshore sector.

Offshore

As per a sector wide consensus, Reilly expects offshore wind to become the dominant renewable generation technology in Ireland at some stage between 2030 and 2040, but finds it difficult to pinpoint when that tipping point may occur. Delays in project development mean that the Government’s 5GW target for offshore generation by 2030 is unlikely to be met, and Reilly believes the focus now should turn to prioritising renewable generation that can be operational by 2030, in the knowledge that offshore wind is coming at scale.

Discussing Bord na Móna’s ambition to develop offshore infrastructure in the coming years, he says: “In the coming decade, offshore wind is set to gradually overtake the need for having any more capacity onshore. Our onshore wind assets tend to be relatively new, and our projects tend to be at the larger end of the spectrum.

“We have higher capacity factors in general in our wind farm sites than most of our competitors in the marketplace, and when you take that into account alongside our renewable energy generation from biomass and solar, I expect us to be the largest generator of renewable electricity in the Irish market in 2024.

“That is quite remarkable when you consider where we were coming from 10 years ago, but it also begs the question as to how we might maintain that position as a market leader as we move from 2030 to 2040. Very quickly, it became clear to us that we would need to be involved in the offshore sector.”

At the end of 2022, Bord na Móna launched a major new partnership with international offshore wind expert Ocean Winds, which will see the organisations co-own, identify and develop offshore wind energy opportunities around the coast of Ireland. Early project development centres on two potential projects, Réalt na Mara, off the coast of counties Dublin and Wicklow, and Celtic Horizon, off the coast of counties Wexford and Waterford. The projects have a combined potential to generate 2.3GW. The recent move to a plan-led approach to the development of offshore wind will change aspects of the development programme, with a focus on the upcoming ORESS auctions and opportunities that may fall from the

Future Framework for the development of offshore wind.

The Head of Renewable Energy articulates that Bord na Móna was steadfast in its commitment to only enter the market in partnership with offshore wind expertise.

“Many of the skillsets involved in delivering onshore wind projects are transferable and applicable, meaning that Bord na Móna was well equipped. However, we are also very aware of the sectoral differences and honest about the skills that we do not have.

“In Ocean Winds, we found a partner who brought that experience and expertise but who also valued our experience around things like the operations of the Irish market, and community engagement on large infrastructure projects.”

Reilly adds: “It is a partnership that makes a lot of sense and is a key part of future-proofing our role as a renewable energy company. However, we have not in any way lost our focus on our core activity, which is delivering new renewable assets on our land bank.”

Eco Energy Parks

Reilly is cognisant that the pace of planning is not the only challenge to renewable energy development in Ireland, indicating that even if all projects in the pipeline were approved tomorrow, securing timely and costeffective grid solutions to get projects away, also remains a significant challenge.

Pointing out that while Ireland has a relatively flexible and new electricity grid, he highlights how the footprint of that grid has barely increased in over a

decade, leading to difficulties in securing grid capacity.

Most of Ireland’s renewable generation infrastructure is sited in the west, while the largest concentration of demand is in the east, and as the level of renewable generation increases, ensuring that this generation capacity is used efficiently has become a greater challenge and requires new innovation.

“There is a real challenge in connecting large energy users or large demand customers, particularly in the Dublin region,” explains Reilly. “What we have been working on is the idea that given our large sites in regions such as the midlands and the eastern seaboard, we are strategically placed close to large demand.

“Given the existing grid network in those areas, we believe that with targeted extensions of that network onto parts of our land bank, the opportunity exists to co-locate renewable generation assets alongside large demand customers.”

Bord na Móna is exploring the potential to deliver multiple Eco Energy Parks on its land bank, which will co-locate large companies with a range of renewable energy technologies, enabling the delivery of low-carbon growth and contributing to associated enterprise, community initiatives, local amenities, and the local natural environment.

In April 2024, Amazon Web Services became the first business to join the first-of-its-kind Bord na Móna Eco Energy Park in the Midlands. The Eco Energy Park sees Bord na Móna investing to deliver wind and solar power – flexible back-up generation to support grid resilience when required and developing new electricity grid connections.

Outlining that the Eco Energy Park concept has gained significant favour, Reilly says that interest has spanned far beyond data centres and the ICT sector and engagement has taken place with organisations from across the economic spectrum. This includes companies ranging from the pharmachem sector through to manufacturing, all of whom see the benefits of utilising renewable energy to power their operations and reduce their emissions.

Socioeconomic impact

Reilly is proud of the enabling role Bord na Móna is playing in economy-wide decarbonisation and stresses his belief that Ireland can continue to be a leading destination for foreign direct investment

Cloncreen Wind Farm, County Offaly.

as the “global hunt for green energy” intensifies.

Discussing the impact this transition will have on local communities, he says: “It is very important that we, as a country, get this piece of the transition right. We need to be honest about the fact that to reach our ambitions and to unlock the economic benefits, there needs to be a lot more investment particularly in critical infrastructure.

“As a sector, we know that all stakeholders including utility companies, government, politicians, and leaders must better explain to people the advantages of what we are trying to achieve. There must be an honesty in the fact that some of this infrastructure will change the vista but there must also be a way of communicating the benefits of providing secure and reliable forms of electricity in a way that will radically improve our society and bring added benefits such as improved air quality.

“In addition, a core part of our work is ensuring that local communities in the proximity to these large pieces of infrastructure benefit the most and our community benefit funds are designed to ensure this happens.”

Bord na Móna’s commitments to sustained future growth and the delivery of the renewable energy pipeline are also balanced with a responsibility for peatlands rehabilitation. In the 12months to March 2024, the organisation restored 3,911 hectares of natural peatlands as part of its Peatlands Climate Action Scheme (PCAS) and has acted to ensure parts of its landbank are opened up to public use.

Beyond individual communities, Bord na Móna believes it can help develop a vibrant ecosystem that places the Midlands region at the forefront of the carbon zero economy and enable the creation of high value jobs in the region.

A New Beginnings programme commenced in June 2023, designed to support the exit of employees, impacted by the cessation of peat production, who had a desire to start their own business. Its success paved the way for a second iteration which commenced in March 2024, which enrolled 14 participants.

Reilly explains that Bord na Móna also continues to support innovative businesses and founders with sustainability ambitions via its Accelerate Green programmes. Since 2022, more than 40 companies have completed the leading sustainability accelerator programme which is

“Instead of dwelling on the barriers, we are gearing up to be ready for when these barriers are removed and realising our ambition to have 2GW of installed capacity by 2030.”

dedicated to supporting companies interested in scaling or developing products and services based on green innovation. Bord na Móna also introduced Accelerate Green Start, a programme for earlier stage start-ups in the climate and sustainability sectors, with companies developing some of Ireland’s newest sustainable innovations and creating climate-focused solutions for a variety of industries in Ireland and internationally.

Future

In July 2024, Bord na Móna celebrated the 90th anniversary of its inception –as the then-Turf Development Board –and Reilly believes that an historical circularity exists given the remit of the original company in helping the thenfledgling State to meet its energy needs in a secure way, and what Bord na Móna is striving towards today: contributing to indigenous and renewable energy security.

Concluding by describing the journey of Bord na Móna over his 25-year energy career as “phenomenal”, Reilly says that there is a lot to be optimistic about in the coming years.

“I think often it is easy to look at the energy transition and focus on the negatives, such as the planning bottleneck and inadequate grid capacity, but our view is that these are challenges which have been identified and can be rectified. Instead of dwelling on the barriers, we are gearing up to be ready for when these barriers are removed and realising our ambition to have 2GW of installed capacity by 2030.

“We will leave no stone unturned in this endeavour and have confidence that Bord na Móna’s journey to date underpins our ability to successfully break new ground.”

300GW of offshore wind energy by 2050

Catherine Banet, a professor of law at the University of Oslo and head of the Department for Energy of Resources Law and Academic co-director at the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) tells the Renewable Energy Magazine about the need for integrated grid development planning in order to scale up the European offshore wind sector.

Under the auspices of the Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy and the REPowerEU, the European Union is committed to a policy target of at least 300GW of offshore wind energy production capacity installed by 2050. Quickly after, in April 2023, North Sea countries announced a similar target for their sea basin alone by 2050. The ambitions are therefore high and on the increase.

In meeting this target, Banet identifies four key areas for targeted EU action to enable the scaling up of offshore wind:

1. planning;

2. permitting;

3. cross-border projects; and

4. promotion of mutual and local benefits.

Planning and permitting

Banet emphasises the need for integrated planning across the planning subsectors –maritime planning, climate planning, energy planning, and transport planning.

She says: “The different responsible planning authorities also need to cooperate. And we have the overall steering instrument of the governance of the energy union with national energy and climate plans.”

In tandem, Banet says that there is a need for an increase in the speed of permitting, explaining that while there are limited examples of integration of permitting processes between production and grid, that it is nonetheless not uncommon.

“We also need to simplify and speed up permitting for cross-border projects, including with hybrid grid solutions; this is key in enabling a cost-effective and environmentally sound development of offshore wind resources in Europe,” she says.

Promotion of mutual and local benefits

Banet further emphasises the importance of promoting mutual and local benefits in the form of coexistence among interests and sectors and the promotion of local benefits via non-pricing criteria in offshore wind auctions.

She says that the promotion of mutual and local benefits is “something that was very key to the announcements by the European Commission and Parliament in newly revised EU legislation (Renewable Energy Directive and state aid guidelines), as well as in the Net Zero Industry Act”.

Grid development with hybrids

Asserting that “we will need a change of speed in grid development”, Banet outlines that the EU has only managed to link 7 per cent of the 2050 targets for offshore generation capacity to date.

She adds that bridging this gap “requires increasing both generation and development at the same time”.

Banet continues: “This will require a change of grid architecture if we want to achieve these targets. We have traditionally developed offshore wind from a national approach with radial connections, but we need to move towards more multipurpose solutions – with hybrid projects combining production and interconnectors – and towards energy hubs or energy islands.”

Irish territory forms part of two of the European Network of Transmission System Operators’ (ENTSO-E) priority corridors for the development of offshore wind: the northern seas offshore grids, and the Atlantic offshore grid.

The University of Oslo professor states that, with specific projects having already been identified under the DMAP publications, there is an existing potential framework for Ireland to “move forwards from radial connections to a more interconnected energy system offshore”.

Banet adds that there is now a “broad consensus” in Europe that expansion of hybrid offshore wind projects will be better enabled by the use of offshore bidding zones instead of the home market approach. The risk of grid congestion for these projects, she argues, is better solved this way as it better reflects physical flows, and leads to a better price formation.

However, Banet reflects that a role will remain for domestic market design in setting different rules for different offshore bidding zones across countries that may not all pertain to the EU. This requires legal clarification upfront, either through regulatory alignment or bilateral agreement between countries.

She further says that it is “less probable” that there will be a single regulator per sea basin, in spite of her advocacy for a centralised approach, although there will likely be high-level cooperation between regulators. Similarly, there will be most probably a cooperation between offshore transmission system operations (TSOs) than one TSO offshore.

“We will need to assess what are the cost and benefit remuneration models we have in terms of regular cost and incomes flows around sale of power, congestion, incomes, ancillary services, guarantees of origin,” she says. “All this comes on the top of market design rules, to complete the full picture of regulatory and market conditions for offshore wind with hybrids.

“In particular, when we introduce offshore building zones, we will need to adjust with supplementary tools such as remuneration mechanisms in the form of a support scheme, contract for difference, the revenue compensation mechanism proposed by the EU, or some type of offshore investment bank.

“Even if EU market design rules have just been revised, much remains to be clarified to enable hybrid projects. Not having the perfect regulatory regime now – if so exists – should not hamper the development of these projects. This is still a work in progress, but regulatory pathways exist to enable these projects on the short term. Issues related to anticipatory investments, grid connection regime and tariffs, and costs/benefits allocation models are among the ones that need to be clarified quickly.”

Cooperation and broad vision

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has stressed that development of energy projects must account for three main drivers:

1. economy;

2. security; and

3. environmental benefits.

Upon implementation of these drivers, Banet states that cooperation at European level between member states is key.

“We cannot overemphasise the importance of collaboration when it comes to developing power system in Europe,” she says.

“One of the things that we have learned from the disruptions created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and before that is that countries manage better crises by cooperating with each other. It is because we have created cooperation through an integrated energy system that there has not been any blackouts in Europe.”

Concluding, Banet predicts that there are further developments and innovations yet to come which will enable a quicker rollout of offshore energy projects.

Accounting for this, she states that, as innovation continues to produce more options, there is a need for a future-proof market design “in order to ensure that there is an enduring and sustainable offshore wind industry”.

“We need a common regulatory approach for market design offshore that will open for connecting new projects, new productions such as hydrogen and new consumption. With that, hopefully we have a future proof market design for a power system that includes offshore wind,” she summarises.

Navigating routes to market for offshore wind in Ireland: Opportunities and challenges

Chelsey O’Doherty

As Ireland accelerates towards its renewable energy targets, offshore wind will play a crucial role in meeting both domestic energy demand and climate goals.

With the development of significant offshore wind in Ireland, developers are questioning the best route to market for these projects. Developers trying to launch projects in Ireland’s nascent offshore wind sector have looked to the government-backed scheme, the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS), for revenue certainty. However, some offshore developers are now considering corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs) as a viable alternative.

ORESS: Advantages and disadvantages

ORESS1, a developer-led process and the first auction in ORESS, awarded four successful projects with long-term fixed price contracts for their power in June 2023. The four successful projects (Dublin Array, Codling Wind Park, Sceirde Rocks Windfarm, and North Irish Sea Array) have also obtained a grid connection assessment and maritime area consent. Two additional projects that made unsuccessful bids into ORESS1 (Arklow Bank Wind Park and Oriel Wind Farm) have been given a window by the CRU to secure an alternative route to market while maintaining their grid connection assessments. It is expected that these projects will look to CPPAs for their route to market. For the projects that were successful in ORESS1 and for projects looking at ORESS2.1 and beyond, ORESS provides a stable revenue stream for developers by guaranteeing a floor price for the electricity generated and thus reducing the exposure to market volatility of electricity prices. Backed by the Irish Government, this route to market is attractive to third party funders of offshore wind projects. Government support reduces risk of non-payment and makes projects immediately more bankable.

Seán Scally

However, ORESS comes with its own challenges. In particular, auctions encourage a race to the bottom for pricing.

The strike prices secured by the projects in ORESS1 (an average strike price of €86.05/MWh) were lower than initially forecasted. There is also a risk that by locking in a lower price now, these projects may be more exposed to cost inflation leading up to construction.

Between now and 2030, when ORESS1 projects are expected to reach commercial operation, key costs such as raw materials, labour, and financing may rise, which would create a mismatch between the price agreed in 2023 and the actual project expenses, potentially eroding profitability. If government auctions are to be successful, they must remain commercially viable and competitive. We only have to look across the water to see the consequences of failing to do this. The UK’s fifth contract for difference auction held in September 2023 failed to attract any bids for new offshore wind projects. Inflationary provisions in future ORESS auctions would be a welcome change for many stakeholders in the industry.

Another drawback of the upcoming ORESS2.1 auction is the inability to withdraw from ORESS2.1, identified in the draft terms and conditions for ORESS2.1. This is a different approach compared to ORESS1 and RESS (the onshore subsidy scheme in Ireland) which permitted withdrawal provided that, amongst other criteria, commercial operation is achieved by the prescribed longstop date.

CPPAs: A growing route to market

CPPAs are a strong alternative route to market for offshore wind projects. Similar to ORESS, CPPAs provide long-term revenue certainty by locking in a price for electricity. However, CPPAs offer greater flexibility than government backed schemes, with corporate buyers and developers able to negotiate a bespoke contract that aligns with both parties’ financial strategies. Corporations are under increasing pressure from stakeholders to meet ambitious sustainability goals with many large corporates committing to achieve carbon neutrality. These commitments create significant additional demand for renewable energy. Offshore wind projects in Ireland will play a key role in helping corporations meet these targets, while

“CPPAs are a strong alternative route to market for offshore wind projects.”

also allowing developers to benefit from a stable, long-term revenue steam.

Perhaps the most attractive aspect of CPPAs is that they provide opportunities to overcome complex capital expenditure calculations associated with governmentbacked auctions. These bilateral agreements can provide for price adjustments linked to inflation (not included in ORESS). A lack of inflationary measures was a key issue in RESS1 (the first onshore auction) and resulted in a large number of projects exiting the scheme in favour of CPPAs.

CPPAs also mitigate a cashflow issue which can arise for projects awarded contracts in ORESS. Payments for ORESS are based on an ex-ante (preliminary) estimate as well as an annual benchmark price set by the CRU. The associated reconciliation process (known as the “R-Factor”) adjusts for differences between the estimated and actual electricity generated and sold which can lead to cashflow challenges (in particular where a ‘supplier-lite’ model as opposed to the more common utility offtake model is adopted). The payment process is different in a CPPA as typically the settlement under such agreements are on a monthly basis.

What is next?

The final terms and conditions for ORESS2.1 are expected to be published imminently, with the auction due to run in 2025, in which interested parties will be invited to bid for the 900MW capacity which will be available at ‘Tonn Nua’, off the coast of County Waterford.

As the industry becomes more familiar with CPPAs as a route to market for offshore wind, there will be greater opportunity for their implementation. Corporate buyers with the capacity to engage in these types of arrangements will continue to look for suitable projects that match their needs in terms of project size, stage of development, and price.

In addition to ORESS and CPPAs, green hydrogen is emerging as a promising novel offtake opportunity for offshore wind in Ireland, with green hydrogen generally being seen by some large

energy users like data centres as a critical future fuel source in moving away from gas. While still in its infancy, several offshore wind-to-hydrogen projects are being explored across mainland Europe and we expect to see Ireland follow suit.

If you would like to speak about offshore wind development, CPPAs or the renewable energy landscape in Ireland more generally, please reach out to:

Seán Scally, Partner and Head of Energy

T: +353 87 3859133

E: seanscally@eversheds-sutherland.ie or

Chelsey O’Doherty, Of Counsel, Energy

T: +353 87 4301218

E: chelseyodoherty@evershedssutherland.ie

Meeting Ireland’s 2030 solar targets

In order for Ireland – north and south – to meet its solar targets for 2030, transmission system operators (EirGrid and SONI) must establish new control strategies and invest in new infrastructure to ensure system security, researchers from EirGrid and University College Dublin (UCD) have claimed.

In Climate Action Plan 2023, the Government significantly increased its 2030 targets for solar energy generation to 8GW from a previously outlined target of between 1.5GW and 2.5GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation.

According to figures released by the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA), the Republic generated a total of just under 1.2GW of solar energy in 2023, a 42.6 per cent increase on what was generated in 2022.

In the North, 126GWh of electricity was produced by solar PV between July 2023 and July 2024. There is no specific target for solar energy in the North, although there are broader decarbonisation targets emanating from the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

The paper – authored by five members of EirGrid’s Innovation and Planning Office, as well as Federico Milano, a professor at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at UCD – outlines four key challenges related to solar PV which, while manageable at current solar penetration levels, will become more acute as the State expands its solar PV levels to meet the 2030 targets.

1. Dispatch down

The researchers assert that the rapid growth of solar PV, although currently at lower levels compared to wind, is already creating challenges for real-time grid management. Dispatch down occurs when grid operators order output reductions from renewable energy sources, either due to local network constraints or system-wide curtailment.

While wind power faces dispatch down challenges –mostly during the night when demand is low – solar PV output typically coincides with daytime demand peaks, reducing its frequency of curtailment.

Current dispatch down levels for solar PV are lower than for wind, but the gap is closing. In the North, solar PV dispatch down has been driven primarily by local network constraints. As more solar capacity is added, particularly distributed systems like rooftop PV, curtailment might increase, making grid management even more complex.

2. Frequency stability

Perhaps the most significant operational challenge introduced by solar PV is its impact on frequency stability. Unlike wind, solar PV can experience rapid fluctuations in output due to passing clouds, leading to more erratic supply profiles. These fluctuations are reflected in grid frequency, with deviations from the normal operating range (49.80 Hz to 50.20 Hz) becoming more frequent as solar PV penetration increases. Although solar accounts for a small share of Ireland’s total generation, its high variability is already driving an increase in the number of ‘violation minutes’, i.e. instances in which the grid’s frequency exceeds operational limits.

The challenge is compounded by the fact that most of Ireland’s solar generation is concentrated in specific areas, reducing the natural averaging effect seen with more geographically dispersed wind farms. Geographical aggregation of solar installations could mitigate this challenge, but it remains an area requiring further attention.

Moreover, the paper outlines how reductions in the minimum number of conventional units online (MUON limit) exacerbate the problem by reducing the amount of available reserve power to stabilise frequency.

EirGrid’s Operational Policy Roadmap 2023-2030, published in December 2022, reduced the MUON limit to seven units, which the UCD researchers assert has already contributed to a deterioration in frequency quality.

The researchers argue that increased solar penetration will require more sophisticated frequency control measures, including active power control in both solar and wind plants, to ensure stability as more nonsynchronous generation is introduced.

3. Voltage magnitude variations

Solar PV also presents challenges for maintaining voltage stability. As demonstrated in the paper’s case study, rapid changes in solar output can lead to over-voltage

conditions, especially in areas with high solar PV penetration. Voltage magnitude fluctuations, if left unmanaged, can damage electrical equipment and reduce the overall reliability of the grid. While reactive power control can mitigate these effects, additional voltage support infrastructure will be necessary as solar penetration increases.

Capacitor banks, static VAR compensators, and synchronous condensers are some of the solutions being mooted as solutions to local voltage challenges, particularly in areas with significant solar capacity.

4. Minimum operational demand

Another operational challenge highlighted by the researchers is the impact of minimum operational demand. As more distributed solar PV systems, such as rooftop installations, come online, the operational demand on the transmission system could, the researchers argue, drop to levels that make it difficult to maintain the MUON limit. During sunny days with high PV output, operational demand could fall so low that grid stability is threatened.

This ‘duck curve’ effect, where demand drops during the day due to rooftop PV generation but spikes in the evening as solar generation declines, is already becoming a challenge in regions with high solar penetration.

Energy storage systems, such as batteries, could provide a solution by storing excess solar power during the day for use in the evening. However, without sufficient storage capacity, grid operators may be forced to curtail solar PV output to maintain grid stability.

The EirGrid/UCD paper emphasises the importance of enhancing the grid’s visibility and controllability over distributed solar systems. Solutions such as advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and smart grid technologies could provide the necessary tools to manage these fluctuations in demand and generation.

Conclusion

The integration of solar PV into the all-island power system (AIPS) introduces a new set of operational challenges, distinct from those posed by wind energy. While Ireland’s energy transition towards renewables is essential for meeting climate targets and legally binding, the rapid growth of solar PV requires grid operators and policymakers to rethink grid management strategies. Frequency stability, voltage control, dispatch down, and managing minimum operational demand will all require innovative solutions as solar PV continues to grow.

While the researchers accept that EirGrid and SONI are already taking steps to address these challenges, they nonetheless insist that further investment in grid infrastructure, control technologies, and storage solutions will be essential to ensure the long-term stability and reliability of the AIPS as it transitions towards a more sustainable future.

Solar power: An unexpected champion in Ireland’s renewables mix

Solar power is fast becoming a central fixture in Ireland’s energy landscape – and a key pillar in ESB’s pathway to reaching net zero emissions by 2040.

If you had predicted 20 years ago that Ireland could source a large slice of its energy from sunshine, you might have been greeted with raised eyebrows (“here? With our weather…?”). And yet, this is exactly where we are today: solar power is fast becoming a crucial ingredient in our national electricity mix, complementing other renewables like wind.

In February 2024, ESB Networks announced that over 1GW (1,000MW) of solar is now connected to the Irish grid at utility scale and behind the meter –enough to power around 400,000

homes. Of this, approximately 300MW comes from domestic microgeneration, typically solar panels on household roofs. More than 100,000 of these rooftop microgenerators are currently hooked up to the network, with applications increasing 92 per cent yearon-year in 2023.

Why solar?

Solar offers a number of benefits in the Irish context. Firstly, it is highly costefficient. The cost to build and operate a solar farm has fallen significantly over the past decade, as technology has

improved and become more readily available. This looks set to continue in the short- to medium-term: the International Energy Agency (IEA) is forecasting an underutilisation of solar panel production capacity leading up to 2030, and this excess supply will likely lead prices to fall further. This is good news for energy users, with the growth of solar set to place downward pressure on the wholesale cost of electricity.

Second, as with other renewable technologies, solar offers an opportunity for energy independence by replacing the volatility of fossil fuels sourced on

international markets. This is particularly valuable for a country like Ireland, which has been so reliant on imported energy in the past.

A third crucial benefit is that solar is a good fit for the patterns of energy demand that are typical in our domestic market. Compared to other countries, we use far more electricity during the day than by night – and as solar operates only during daylight hours, it can deliver this necessary boost with very little wastage.

While there may be an assumption that Ireland’s generally grey skies are not conducive to solar energy, technological advances mean it is now possible to source PV panels designed specifically for the kind of mid-light seen on our island. And although these panels do not generate all of the time, they provide the ideal complement to wind energy: in the most simple terms – a sunny day is less likely to be windy and vice versa.

Powering our clean energy future

For all these reasons, solar power is a key pillar in ESB’s pathway to reaching net zero emissions by 2040, as the company’s generation business moves to progressively decarbonise the electricity it produces. It is set to deliver a further 2GW of solar in the coming years, equivalent to over one third of the country’s current peak electricity demand of 5.5GW. “We are targeting a 5GW renewable electricity portfolio by 2030, and solar will be a vital piece of that puzzle,” explains Eoin Naughton, Solar Development Manager at ESB. “Our total planned investment in solar projects runs to €1 billion, with construction due to commence on five projects over the next 12 months alone.”

One of these projects is the Middleton House Solar Farm in County Longford. The Lanesborough area where the site is located boasts a long history of electricity generation, making the build a prime example of old worlds meeting new. The solar farm will connect to the grid through a new cable route installed along a now defunct rail line, which until a few years ago had been used to transport peat to the former carbonintensive Lough Ree Power Site. By the time the project is complete, this route will be transporting up to 57MW of clean electricity with the capacity to power over 15,000 homes. New solar facilities like this one, the ESB site in Bullstown in County Meath, or the joint ESB-Bord na Móna farm planned for

Eoin Naughton, Solar Development Manager at ESB.

“Solar is a good fit for the patterns of energy demand that are typical in our domestic market.”

Timahoe, County Kildare, are maintaining and transforming the midlands’ crucial role as a strategic energy hub heading into Ireland’s clean energy future.

Communities and customers driving transformation

These utility-scale solar farms are major infrastructure projects, making close engagement with local communities essential to navigate challenges and unlock the benefits. For farmers, solar can provide valuable diversification opportunities while helping to bring down carbon emissions. Agricultural land used for solar farms can simultaneously enhance biodiversity, with a recent All-Island Pollinator Plan report highlighting the potential for these sites to support bees and other pollinators. Solar farms can also continue to be used for sheep grazing, providing a cost-effective approach to vegetation management. For the broader community, ESB offers benefit

funds linked to solar sites like Lanesborough, which local groups can access to secure finance for projects that will make a difference to people living in the area.

Alongside the growth in domestic microgeneration, the rise of these new large-scale facilities signals that solar is becoming a permanent fixture in the Irish energy landscape. “There is clearly a huge appetite for zero-carbon energy on the part of consumers, and there is already a broad understanding of the role solar power will play in our future electricity system – not only as a lowcost energy source, but as a way for Ireland to move away from fossil fuels and become energy independent as part of a broader renewables-based system,” concludes Naughton.

Contact:

T: +353 1 676 5831 W: www.esb.ie

Challenges to accelerating the energy transition

John FitzGerald, former Chairman of the Climate Change Advisory Council, outlines the recognised obstacles to progress in the energy transition, over the course of the decade.

Financial

FitzGerald assesses that the financial challenges of the energy transition extend far beyond cost alone.

Indicating an understanding that decarbonisation will cost an estimated 2 to 3 per cent of national income, he insists: “The next decade is going to be expensive but the Government is in a strong financial position, so we can afford it and it is doable.

“The true challenge lies in the fact that we cannot just purchase and import the solution. We have to build the

infrastructure on an island where people are living. This means we have to stop doing things to make space to decarbonise Ireland, and to provide a secure and green energy system.”

Expanding further, FitzGerald points to Ireland’s economic status as nearing full employment and highlights how this poses a challenge in the form of people and skills availability.

“We are going to have to stop doing some of the things we are doing to free up resources,” he explains. “For example, to retrofit the housing stock

and reduce our energy consumption in housing, we will have to build fewer houses because the people who build houses are also the same people required for retrofitting.

“It is about reallocating our scarce labour resources to where they are most needed.”

Energy

In a similar vein, FitzGerald says that public understanding of the long-term benefits of costs is important. While the development of renewable

“We are part of a worldwide surge in technology. Sourcing that technology is a non-trivial task and we need to pay more attention to it.”

infrastructure and enabling technology in the next 10 to 15 years will come at a demanding upfront cost, the move away from energy importation offers a long-term future solution and represents an investment for the future.

Planning

Outlining the more particular challenges that might prevent this long-term investment, FitzGerald assesses that, too often, the public good is trumped by individual interests in Ireland. Pointing to the long-term delays in greater electricity interconnection between north and south as a prime example of systematic delay, he says that already challenging circumstances are set to get more complex.

“There is also a challenge in the availability of equipment. There is a desire to build more offshore wind farms, however, almost all of the rigs that plant windmills in the sea are currently in southeast Asia. We are part of a worldwide surge in technology. Sourcing that technology is a nontrivial task and we need to pay more attention to it.”

Describing planning as “the single biggest obstacle to delivering on decarbonising our electricity system”, FitzGerald indicates his concerns about the size and scale of the 800page Planning and Development Bill 2023 currently being progressed. Suggesting that a document of such size will inevitably contain errors – which could be contested in court – and estimating a four- to five-year bedding-in period, he believes the Bill is not the solution to current planning delays.

“We need to recognise the need for the public good to trump the individual interest. Currently, there are too many options for appeal. You can appeal the planning permission, or you can go to judicial review, or you can do both. That just makes for endless indecision.”

Households

Turning to households, FitzGerald identifies the high costs of retrofitting a house and acknowledges that for individual homes, that cost may never pay back at the current cost of carbon. “The State has got to provide major support and this is one of the areas where there is a substantial cost to the State purse. It reflects that the price of carbon for households is way below the true cost to society.

“Something not a lot of people noticed is that the Government recently dramatically changed the price of carbon to be used in all government decisions on infrastructure. In February 2024, it had been between €60 and €80 per tonne, rising to €300 in 2050. By June 2024, that figure was between €300 and €350, rising to €400 by the end of the decade.”

However, implementing such a carbon tax for household energy would be “politically unacceptable”, but it would unreasonable to expect immediate household change. “We need 50,000 households per year to retrofit for 30 years if we are going to transition. The State is going to have to provide, and is providing support.”

On state responsibility, he says: “The State as a landlord of some 100,000 dwellings has a duty to retrofit those dwellings and this should be a priority. Despite the fact that oil-fuelled households produce far more emissions than gas-fuelled households, there has been no targeting of those oil-fuelled, predominantly rural households. That should be a priority if the Government wants the biggest bang for its buck in terms of reducing emissions quickly.”

Transport

Describing progress on the decarbonisation of transport as “too slow”, FitzGerald points to the benefits of increasing numbers of EVs, enabling infrastructure, and better use of time of day prices, but says there is a need to accelerate public transport investment, especially for cities.

For rural Ireland, FitzGerald raises concerns as to whether local infrastructure and wires currently have the capacity capability to deal with a large and quick uplift of EVs.

BIO

John FitzGerald is one of Ireland’s leading economists. A research affiliate with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and an adjunct professor in TCD, he was a member of the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation from 2003 to 2006 and he was a member of the Government’s Climate Change Advisory Council until earlier this year, having chaired it between 2016 and 2021.

Calor: Driving the energy transition and creating a sustainable future

Almost half of manufacturing and production businesses are facing heightened supply chain pressure to be more environmentally sustainable.

The research, conducted on behalf of Calor Ireland by Censuswide, surveyed energy decision makers in the manufacturing and production industry operating in rural areas outside of Dublin and off the natural gas grid. The focus was on current sustainability pressures and their plans around renewable energy adoption.

The research found 46 per cent of those surveyed are experiencing ‘a lot of pressure’ to become more sustainable, while a further 53 per cent said they are experiencing at least some pressure to do so.

It showed that in addition to experiencing pressure to be more sustainable, respondents were also applying pressure to businesses in their supply chain.

A total of 39 per cent of respondents said that they ‘only use’ suppliers with renewable or sustainable business activities and a further 56 per cent said they use some suppliers who fit into this category.

The findings highlight the growing need for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability to remain competitive.

Renewable energy usage

Just over three in five, (61 per cent) of businesses surveyed said they are using renewable or green energy in their business operations, with just over a third (34 per cent) stating they do not do so.

When it comes to switching or upgrading to lower carbon and renewable energy sources, the survey shows businesses are slower to implement a full retrofit.

Only 7 per cent of businesses are using heat-pumps as the main source of energy supply and 5 per cent are using solar panels.

The main source of energy used by the businesses surveyed are electricity (33 per cent), followed by LPG (20 per cent), oil (15 per cent) and natural gas (11 per cent). This shows that a large percentage of businesses are continuing to use higher carbon emitting fuels, such as oil. For many manufacturing businesses, switching to natural gas is not an option for off grid manufacturing, emphasising the need to greater lower carbon alternative such as LPG.

When asked what, if anything, they had done to reduce carbon emissions in their businesses, 53 per cent of respondents said they had upgraded lighting, while 39 per cent had switched to using HVO for transport, a renewable biofuel and dropin replacement for diesel that can reduce carbon emissions.

A total of 38 per cent said they had switched to a lower carbon or renewable energy source, 30 per cent cited a reduction in overall energy consumption and 26 per cent said they had installed solar panels.

Barriers to energy updates

While pressure is mounting on businesses to show their commitment to

adopting more environmentally friendly initiatives, many businesses are experiencing barriers to switching to lower carbon and renewable energy sources. A total of 52 per cent of the manufacturing and production companies surveyed said cost restraints were the greatest barrier to switching.

This is perhaps a sign of the impact on businesses of increased input costs, higher wage demands, inflationary pressures. As it becomes increasingly evident that comprehensive retrofits are proving to be costly, there is a growing need for affordable transition solutions.

And with growing business overheads, 25 per cent of surveyed businesses said that switching energy sources isn’t a priority due to other pinch-points.

Asked, when, if ever, they expected to move to a lower carbon or renewable energy source, 20 per cent of those who have yet to do so said they would do so in the next year and 46 per cent said in the next five years. Nearly one in four (24 per cent) said they would do so when it becomes available for their business type and 10 per cent said when government regulations required them to take such action.

Commenting on the survey findings, Oliver Kenny, Chief Commercial Officer, says: “As the pressure mounts for sustainable practices in manufacturing and production, our survey findings underscore the urgency for change. With 46 per cent of businesses feeling supply chain demands, it is clear sustainability is no longer optional.

“On a positive note, over seven in 10 (73 per cent) of the businesses surveyed believe renewable or green energy is the way forward. This demonstrates a clear understanding from businesses about the need to transition to lower carbon and renewable energy to maintain a competitive advantage. As well as the importance for our society and in meeting our carbon reduction targets, at a sectoral and EU level.

“But now is the time to support the 25 per cent of businesses who believe that transitioning to alternative energy sources is not a current priority, as well as the 24 per cent who are unaware of the availability of lower carbon, renewable solutions.

“Many businesses aiming to transition to renewable energy or implement retrofitting face significant obstacles, primarily centred on cost constraints and the search for practical solutions. Recognising the financial strain of a full retrofit on companies, there is a need for

cost-effective transition solutions. A renewable-ready LPG installation has the flexibility of being coupled with a drop-in option for renewable gas, such as BioLPG, and can reduce emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to conventional LPG.

“At Calor, we are committed to leading the transition away from oil and solid fuel by supporting Irish businesses with lower carbon and renewable solutions.”

For almost 90-years, Calor has ensured that homes and businesses across Ireland, and particularly rural Ireland, have had access to reliable, lower carbon energy and renewable gas. Calor’s purpose is to drive Ireland's energy transition and create a sustainable future for generations to come. With the launch

of a certified renewable liquid gas (BioLPG) in 2018, Calor demonstrated its commitment to playing an active role in Ireland’s transition to a decarbonised economy.

Calor’s responsible product strategy looks to ensure that the source and supply of its products becomes increasingly renewable and sustainable. This ambition underscores Calor's ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions while continuing to meet the energy needs of its customers across the country.

To find out more about Calor’s sustainable solutions visit calorgas.ie

Developing alternative fuels infrastructure

Caoimhín Ó Ciaruáin, Assistant Secretary, Head of Climate Action and EU/International at the Department of Transport discusses Ireland’s progress in decarbonising transport and the implication of the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).

Ó Ciaruáin believes that the scale of transformation is so enormous that it will only be achieved by aggressively pursuing policy actions across the avoid, shift, and improve approach to the decarbonisation of transport.

Ireland’s climate ambitions are heavily reliant on the co-dependent decarbonisation of energy and transport, sectors which the Assistant Secretary highlights will do the “heavy lifting”, both nationally and in the context of the European Green Deal.

National climate targets require a 50 per cent reduction in transport emissions and a 75 per cent reduction in emissions from electricity by 2030. Outlining the scale of the challenge in meeting this ambition, Ó Ciaruáin points out that currently, fossil fuels represent 95 per cent of Ireland’s fuel mix in transport.

Analysis by the SEAI shows that in 2022, the transport sector emitted 14.5 MtCO2eq, equating to 40 per cent of Ireland’s total energy-related CO2 emissions,

including international aviation. The sectoral emissions ceilings have established a 6 MtCO2eq ceiling for transport for 2030.

Breaking down the avoid, shift, improve approach to transport decarbonisation to date, Ó Ciaruáin says that progress has been achieved.

He highlights that the avoid approach –reducing or avoiding the need to travel – will be the most challenging but likely most transformative measure, with benefits that go well beyond carbon reduction. In March 2024, the Government published a new draft demand management strategy which provides a firm policy direction and a suite of options, such as road space reallocation, progressive taxation, freight efficiency, or behavioural incentives, that can be taken at national, regional, and local levels to bring about the systems changed needed.

As expected, the co-dependency with

the decarbonisation of energy lies mostly within the shift and improve paradigms, where the benefits of a shift to sustainable modes of transport and active travel modes are already being seen, particularly around public transport. In 2023, patronage of public transport had risen by 24 per cent on the previous year and under the improve measure, there are advances on the electrification of the fleet and the options for increased blending of biofuels.

Ó Ciaruáin summarises: “The first two carbon budget reduction targets will lean heavily on electrification, biofuel blending, and alternative fuels to do the heavy lifting, however, beyond that, I think we are looking at a much wider transformation of how we travel.”

The Assistant Secretary explains that progress to date has been driven by a carrot-and-stick approach. Citing one of the most generous sets of incentives for EV take up across Europe as an example of the carrot, he explains that

the complex regulatory landscape also requires a stick approach, and has, for example, driven investment and planning in the delivery of charging infrastructure.

Highlighting the significant evolution of the policy landscape in the last decade, Ó Ciaruáin points to the Renewable Transport Fuels Policy Statement 202325 as the key national policy lever for the increased supply of alternative fuels within the transport system.

The statement provides a framework towards meeting targets set out in the Climate Action Plan, such as at least B20 (biodiesel equivalent) in diesel and E10 (ethanol) in petrol by 2030 (with an interim B12/E10 by 2025 target), and European obligations for renewable energy supply for use in transport.

“The level of ambition here is significant. It is the invisible piece of what we do in terms of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), but it is also one of the most effective ways of delivering carbon abatement in the transport sector and we depend quite heavily on it.”

Similarly, sub-targets exist for the supply of renewable fuels from nonbiological origins and advanced biofuels and biogases. Separately, obligations are in place for the maritime and aviation sectors. For land transport, the shift towards alternative fuels is being accelerated at EU level through regulations banning the sale of fossil fuel cars and vans from 2035, and the recently adopted phase-out of heavy good vehicles by 2040.

From April 2024, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) was applicable and sets a minimum set of mandatory infrastructure requirements for alternative fuels across the TransEuropean Transport Network (TEN-T).

“Within the Department of Transport, and in relation to the development of alternative fuels, given the variety of policies, regulations and supports that are available, we need to ensure that the kind of policy coherence across the system, but also increasingly across government. We need to work with our colleagues to focus those interventions that deliver the most optimal policy

“The ‘build it and they will come’ perspective at EU level is not without significant risk and operational challenges for member states.

objectives, both nationally and internationally,” he says.

To this end, Ó Ciaruáin explains that the Department has established a working group looking specifically at alternative fuels. The Alternative Fuels for Transport Working Group aims to facilitate greater visibility on policy development and delivery across the transport and energy sectors in relation to the development of alternative fuels in transport.

The group will also coordinate a variety of ongoing actions concerning alternative fuel infrastructure and renewable energy across the transport sub-sectors, land, aviation and maritime, and is expected to produce a report by the end of 2024.

In addition, the Department has established a Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Task Force to help inform a new national SAF policy roadmap, targeted for delivery by the end of 2024.

Alternative fuel infrastructure

Turning to the implications of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), Ó Ciaruáin offers a context whereby the regulation’s predecessor was not mandatory and delivery across Europe was “patchy”. As a result, several member states, including Ireland, are playing catch up on what is required.

The objective of the regulation is to set minimum mandatory infrastructure requirements and timeframes, with severe penalties outlined for those who do not deliver on their obligations.

While delivery on the ambitions will be challenging, Ó Ciaruáin acknowledges the “level of certainty” the regulation offers to sectors, markets and the public that projects will be advanced.

In relation to electrification, it is estimated that the first AFIR target for 2025 will require a 300 per cent increase charging capacity.

“We have to show and be clear that we are pursuing this aggressively in order for that takeup to happen, and people feel confident that they have the public charging infrastructure available.

Additionally, AFIR requires significant investment in the hydrogen space over the next decade. A requirement of refuelling stations that can serve both light and heavy-duty vehicles in every urban node on the TEN-T network, at intervals of every 200km on the TEN-T corridor translates into a hydrogen refuelling station in Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick, which are capable of dispensing one tonne of hydrogen per day.

The first deployments of this type of infrastructure are scheduled for 2027, which will be majorly challenging for Ireland. However, the Assistant Secretary points to work under the Shared Island Initiative to progress research and feasibility studies with the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, and alignment with the National Hydrogen Strategy, as the groundwork which is being laid for rollout on a larger scale.

The AFIR also sets strict infrastructure development regulations in relation to liquified methane, maritime, and aviation.

The Assistant Secretary summarises: “AFIR targets are hugely challenging, and with infrastructure deployment expected to be ahead of demand in some instances, the ‘build it and they will come’ perspective at EU level is not without significant risk and operational challenges for member states.”

Ireland’s approach to these areas will be set out in the AFIR National Policy Framework. Currently in development, Ireland, along with other member states, must submit a draft National Policy Framework to the European Commission for review by the end of 2024. A final national policy framework must be set by the end of 2025.

A public consultation seeking submissions from wider transport and energy sector stakeholders to inform the development of an updated National Policy Framework for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure in Transport launched in May 2024 and closed on 14 June.

The Department of Transport expects to advance and publish an updated draft policy framework for further consultation in the second half of 2024, with final policy frameworks required to be submitted to the European Commission by 31 December 2025.

Renewable rewards revealed in run up to Smart Energy Conference

Northern Ireland’s renewable energy body, RenewableNI, has begun the countdown to its flagship Smart Energy conference with a new industry report and an industry event at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Smart Energy, the premier Northern Ireland renewable energy event, brings together 300 people from policy makers, elected representatives, developers, investors, and industry experts.

Aimed at educating, engaging and inspiring debate in the renewable energy sector, RenewableNI ensured the conversation was focused on the benefits renewable electricity is bringing to Northern Ireland with the launch of a new report in September 2024.

Authored by Baringa, Renewable Rewards has been welcomed by the industry for providing clear figures on the consumer and environmental benefits of renewable electricity. Renewable Rewards: How you save from the switch to renewable electricity showed achieving the 80 per cent renewable electricity by 2030 target will unlock an additional saving of £110 million per year.

The report revealed that between 2020 and 2023 people in Northern Ireland saved an average of £160 off their bills. The report also found the transition to renewables has avoided more than 13 million tonnes of CO2, equal to taking a

quarter of all cars off Northern Ireland roads today.

RenewableNI delivered a copy of Renewable Rewards to every MLA when they hosted an offshore wind event in Stormont’s Long Gallery at the end of September 2024.

RenewableNI brought developers to the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly to highlight the benefits of building the region’s offshore wind industry.

Speakers at the event, attended by industry and MLAs, included The Crown Estate, Department for the Economy, ESB, North Channel Wind, Simply Blue and SSE Renewables. The event was sponsored by Alliance Party’s Danny Donnelly MLA and opened by Peter McReynolds MLA.

The Stormont trip coincided with the Northern Ireland Assembly’s infrastructure and economy committees meetings – members of which will be

part of a Question Time panel at Smart Energy, chaired by BBC political correspondent Jayne McCormack.

The afternoon panel of MLAs will follow the Northern Ireland Economy Minister Conor Murphy MLA, who is the conference’s keynote speaker.

Other highlights at Smart Energy include a Building a Renewable Ready System session where the panel of experts from industry, NIE Networks and, SONI discuss dispatch down concerns and considere solutions.

Smart Energy, which has grown every year, wraps with an evening drinks reception. The extended, informal networking has proved the catalyst for Northern Ireland projects and new business.

For more information, please visit www.RenewableNI.com/SmartEnergy

Northern Ireland Economy Minister Conor Murphy MLA (centre) is keynote speaker at this year's Smart Energy Conference, pictured with RenewableNI Director Steven Agnew; and Chair Tamasin Fraser.

The hydrogen stand off: Who moves first?

The importance of having early commercialisation of the hydrogen sector and a clear route to market is needed to drive both supply and demand and breed confidence in the sector.

Hydrogen is increasingly seen as a possible panacea in the fight against climate change or at least a significant contributor to the decarbonisation challenge we all face. Its role in helping the Republic of Ireland decarbonise is made clear in the National Hydrogen Strategy where the Minister states: “Decarbonised gases like renewable hydrogen will have a key role to play in this transition and should become part of our future energy system.”

As with many emerging technologies, the hydrogen sector is facing a Mexican standoff as to who will move first – supply or demand. The reality is both need to move in tandem. The role of government is also key to unlocking hydrogen’s potential. It needs to fast track the measures set out in the Hydrogen Strategy to give confidence to both sides in the development of this sector. It is widely recognised that funding to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen projects to meet fuel demand is needed as is clear government policy.

“Indaver stands ready to invest and calls on others to join us to end the hydrogen stand-off and realise the full potential of this sustainable fuel source.”

While innovation is moving at pace, the sector has faced some setbacks as projects that could demonstrate its longterm viability are delayed or fail to get off the ground. In many cases, developers cite end markets developing slower than anticipated as being a key reason.

If we look back at transformational innovations in the last century or more, whether it be telecommunications, power or, more recently, the internet, these inescapably involve risk-taking and investment. Typically, it is early adopters who will steal a march and lead the way which others will then follow.

Indaver already recognises the need to invest in hydrogen production and is willing to do so at risk – albeit a well informed and calculated risk.

Such pilot projects provide vital proof points for the industry. Companies like Irish Rail and Translink in Northern Ireland, who are currently developing or operating hydrogen fuel vehicles, are early adopters on the demand side, and they are to be commended. But more must signal their intention to follow and give the supply side the market confidence it needs to grow.

With planning approvals in place, we stand ready to construct a 10MW hydrogen electrolyser alongside our existing waste to energy facility in County Meath to contribute to Ireland’s emerging hydrogen economy. This will use an indigenous resource to produce valuable hydrogen, aligning with the 2024 Climate Action Plan and contributing to the island’s security of energy supply.

We are already engaging with various sectors across transport, power and wider industry to better understand hydrogen demand. Working collaboratively, we can provide reassurance that our supply can meet their needs and given the reliability of our fuel source, they can be confident in its relative stability and dependability. We

are also using Meath as a test case for potential future roll out across our other current and future sites.

Importantly the project is of a scale that it can be viewed as a significant allisland demonstration project where key commercialisation learnings can inform future projects. We estimate that this one site has the potential to produce enough hydrogen to decarbonise the equivalent of 180 buses, or five to six freight trains per year.

Its location on the north-south road and rail corridors means it is uniquely placed to service transport networks across the island. The M1 is already part of the designated European Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) road network along which Ireland has committed to deploy hydrogen refuelling stations by 2030.

We know haulage companies are already considering how they can help their supply chain and customers to decarbonise their operations. This includes impressive development of hybrid dual fuel HGV vehicles which can deliver the CO2 savings equivalent of 15 EV vehicles in one day.

Things are moving in the sector, albeit not as quickly as is needed to meet our decarbonisation targets. Across road haulage, public transport, shipping, air travel and heavy machinery (where diesel fuel dominates), the potential of hydrogen to displace fossil fuels is being explored.

Indaver stands ready to invest and calls on others to join us and end the hydrogen stand-off, realising the full potential of this sustainable fuel source. We look forward to making this journey together.

For more information visit: Hydrogen – Ireland E: info@indaver.com

The European

Commission’s

vision for a renewables revolution

European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, tells the Renewable Energy Magazine that the EU’s future of sustainable energy is “where our future lies” and praises progress being made in Ireland in this regard.

“What is happening right now is a renewables revolution,” says Simson. “This decade, the installed capacity of renewable energy in the EU is set to triple and the past two years have set new records for wind and solar power deployment.”

In the electricity sector, the share of renewables throughout the EU has increased from a rate of 34 per cent in 2019 to 41 per cent in 2022 and Simson is optimistic that this will have further increased when figures for 2023 are released.

“This decade, the installed capacity of renewable energy in the EU is set to triple and the past two years have set new records for wind and solar power deployment.”

Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy, European Commission

In 2024, the EU reached an important milestone as energy use from wind surpassed natural gas for the first time, growing by a record 5,500 hours from 2022 levels. Although cognisant of the progress being made, Simson warns against complacency.

“All these good results do not mean that our work is over; more efforts will be required to achieve the targets,” she states.

The EU has introduced a framework which aims to ensure faster and simpler permitting procedures, working in tandem with new rules to reform market design.

“This will help to further integrate renewables in the electricity system. What we need is a swift and ambitious implementation of the EU framework by member states,” she says.

Renewable energy in Ireland

Simson says that Ireland is “certainly playing its part in keeping up our ambition” in terms of the EU’s broad decarbonisation targets.

“You have set sectoral carbon budgets, you have upgraded your renewable electricity penetration from 30 to 70 per cent. Then again, grade 2 per cent by 2030 which is very ambitious in a tight timeframe.”

She adds: “Your plan for a cumulative target of 22 gigawatts of wind and solar PV capacity by 2030 will make Ireland a world leader in clean energy. Wind in particular, is one of Ireland’s strengths.

“Ireland already has a lot of vision for harnessing its wind potential. You have earmarked some of your wind for producing renewable hydrogen. You are also investing massively in offshore wind and putting effort into accelerating permitting processes. In this respect, let me commend Ireland for the first auction under the Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme.”

Asserting that the performance of the broad wind energy sector in Ireland has “surpassed expectations”, Simson states that the progress made in Ireland so far “marks a promising start for the sector”.

Simson, a former Estonian cabinet minister, states that across the EU, renewables have also made “huge strides in transport and heating”.

“In Ireland, what is really encouraging is that heat pumps are now the go to option

for new builds. You are also looking more and more into district heating. This is an efficient way to deliver clean and affordable heat while reducing the load on the energy system.”

On her broad vision for the European energy system of the future, Simson says that “a successful energy transition depends on having strong resilient digital and cyber proof power infrastructure”. “Without an electricity network fit for purpose, we will not achieve our REPowerEU goals to replace Russian fossil fuels, nor below reach our net zero targets.

“We especially need interconnected electricity rates. This is important for our security of supply, for integrating more renewables into member states’ energy markets, and for electrifying the energy system.”

The Celtic Interconnector is expected to be completed by 2027, having been awarded the status of project of common interest, meaning it benefits from a number of incentives including substantially EU funding.

On the interconnector, Simson says: “It will link Ireland and France and benefit consumers in the two countries. It will also allow for more flexible exchange of power flows between mainland Europe and Ireland.”

Concluding, Simson says that the term of the 2019-2024 Commission has been “transformative for the EU energy system”.

“Four years ago at the start of this Commission’s mandate, we knew that huge change was on the horizon. We did not realise however, just how far we would go and how ambitious we would become.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine proved that we made the right strategic decision to go all in on the energy transition. This is where our long term and actual freedom lies. Now, we must stay the course. Let us continue working towards cleaner, greener, and more affordable energy for citizens in Ireland and all across Europe.”

Why Ireland needs to speed-up delivery of onshore wind

Barry Monaghan

Credit:

Wind farms can provide Irish people with affordable, clean and secure energy; but first, they must get through planning, writes Justin Moran, Director of External Affairs, Wind Energy Ireland.

The UK’s new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband MP, was only 72 hours into his new job when he lifted the British ban on onshore wind farms. A week later, he announced a new taskforce, bringing together industry and government, to accelerate onshore wind delivery. By the start of August 2024, it was already at work.

Onshore wind development

It is frustrating to see that level of focus in Britain while, in Ireland, the development of onshore wind energy meets barrier after barrier. Unlike Britain, we are already a leader in onshore wind energy. The country’s wind farms provide a greater annual share of our electricity demand than any other in Europe, but the pace of delivery of new projects is slowing down.

Missing energy targets

A report published by Wind Energy Ireland in July 2024 shows that we are only getting around a quarter of the projects we need to match our energy targets through An Bord Pleanála. Many of the projects recently approved by the board have already been challenged in the courts.

Fewer projects mean higher energy prices for Irish families and millions more spent to import expensive fossil fuels. We need to build both onshore and offshore wind farms, new solar farms and battery projects, and reinforce the electricity grid

in just a few years. Our planning system is simply not fit for purpose to achieve this.

Accelerate onshore delivery

The Government has established a taskforce to accelerate the delivery of onshore renewable energy, and it must prioritise fixing the planning system. We have seen other countries do this by applying new EU regulations like the RED III Directive, with Germany, for example, now granting planning permission to 1,000MW of onshore wind every month.

In Ireland, instead of this acceleration, county councils are zoning land to prevent the development of wind energy, including incidents where the local authority changed the zoning of land to prevent a wind farm from being built, after it was announced or had applied for planning.

Resolving energy delivery conflicts

There is a conflict between national and EU energy policy (to provide the affordable, clean, secure energy Irish people want) and County Development Plans, which, in some places, have been designed to block the development of new wind farms. Resolving this conflict needs to be as much a priority for the Irish Government as speeding up the development of onshore wind farms is for UK Minister Ed Miliband MP.

Contact T: +353 45 899341

E: office@windenergyireland.com

W: www.windenergyireland.com

New electricity connection policy published

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Ireland’s independent energy and water regulator recently published the new Electricity Connection Policy – Generation and System Services (ECP-GSS), which will ultimately support the delivery of Ireland’s renewable electricity targets.

The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP 24) sets out a target of 80 per cent of electricity being generated by renewables by 2030. This includes targets of 9GW from onshore wind, 8GW from solar and at least 5GW of offshore wind. Ireland is also committed to netzero emissions by 2050, and to a 51 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030.

The Climate Action Plan 2023 also included a target to support at least 500MW of local community-based renewable energy projects, increased

levels of new micro-generation and small-scale generation (SSG), as well as 2GW of new flexible gas plant by 2030.

The Electricity Connection Policy has evolved over the last number of years to take account of these changes in government and European policy, as well as greater innovation and availability of new technologies.

The objective of this new connection policy is to provide increased opportunities for generation projects to connect to the network in an

accelerated timeframe, delivering a higher level of renewable sources of generation that, in the long term, will provide greater sustainability and security of supply to our electricity network for customers.

The processes for connecting new generators and storage technologies to the electricity grid to participate in energy markets and supply electricity demand are technically and commercially complex. This new policy will provide greater clarity and an improved process for accelerated

“This new policy will provide greater clarity and an improved process for accelerated connection to the electricity network for both large-scale and small-scale projects.”

connection to the electricity network for both large-scale and small-scale projects.

It will also support security of supply, accelerated delivery of Ireland’s renewable electricity targets, including carbon budget and sectoral emissions ceilings and the optimal use of the existing and future grid infrastructure to deliver value to the consumer through the regular processing of connection offers for renewable electricity and other technologies.

Current connection policy

New generators and storage technologies apply to the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, to connect to the electricity grid. Projects which connect can then progress to participate in energy markets and supply electricity. Accelerated delivery of electricity generation and storage projects and associated infrastructure is important, so that increasing demand from a growing economy and population can be catered for.

In addition to the technically and commercially complex processes for connecting these projects to the network, the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) includes requirements for the permit granting process for renewable energy projects. The need to decarbonise the electricity system will drive continued expansion of renewable electricity generation.

The associated targets and timelines for renewable electricity present significant challenges to the transmission and the distribution networks with new policy required to meet them.

Since publication of the first Enduring Connection Policy (ECP) in 2018, there have been several updates to the connections policy that have reflected the increased government policy focus on renewable generation and facilitated

government defined community-led renewable energy projects, as well as the requirement for other generation sources and system service technologies.

ECP-GSS: New connection policy

The previous connection policies comprised a single annual batch application which generally opened for one month to allow applications to be processed. This restricted the number of projects that may have applied for a connection due to the differing stages of their development.

One of the key differences to the new ECP-GSS is the inclusion of six-monthly rather than 12-monthly application deadlines starting from September 2025.

The two-window approach will provide greater flexibility for renewable and conventional generation to progress their projects to the stage of applying for their connections, increasing the number of generation sources.

In addition, the new connection policy will also only require completed planning permission applications to be acknowledged (and not fully granted planning permission as per the previous policy) for renewable projects to enter the application process as was the case in the pervious connection policy. This is to allow the parallel processing of both planning and grid permits and to speed up permitting timelines.

The new policy will also provide greater opportunities for connection to the electricity network for smaller-scale and non-exporting projects, including minigeneration, small scale generation, repowering of existing renewable generation and community-led projects.

For further information on the policy, go to www.cru.ie

The role of long-duration electricity storage for net zero

Reaching and maintaining a net zero society may require market reform to incentivise the build-out of long-duration electricity storage.

A major academic study analysing the role of long-duration electricity storage in Great Britain reaching net zero could provide lessons for Northern Ireland in long-term planning for electricity grid stability.

Great Britain has a more ambitious target of decarbonising its electricity system completely by 2035, on the recognition that the electrification of heat, power, and transport will be the main drivers of net zero by 2050. Although not as far-reaching, Northern Ireland’s target of 80 per cent of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030 is equally challenging.

To meet these targets, wind and solar, as the recognised cheapest forms of low-carbon generation, will lead the decarbonisation of electricity. However, the challenge lies in the volatility of

these two forms of generation and the need for this volatility to be complemented by other flexible lowcarbon sources and/or energy storage, if grid stability is to be ensured.

Large Scale Electricity Storage, a report compiled by the Royal Society, has modelled wind and solar supply against demand over an almost 40-year period, using real weather data, and highlights the significant gap that will need to be plugged if security of supply is to be maintained.

The report details how the availability of wind and solar power varies on time scales ranging from seconds to decades, depending on the weather. Demand is also variable, and mismatches between supply and demand occur on time scales ranging from milliseconds to years.

“As there are times when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing, wind and solar supply cannot meet demand directly on their own, however much generating capacity is installed,” the authors state.

In short, if relying on wind and solar generation, balancing supply and demand would require tens of terawatt hours (TWhs) for over several decades. While Northern Ireland’s storage requirement will not be as high, the underpinning need for storage beyond short-term balancing is recognisable.

As renewable generation from wind and solar has increased in recent years the need for storage capacity has been recognised, however, much of the focus has been on battery storage, in the context of stretching near-term electricity decarbonisation targets.

While batteries will play an increasing role in providing short-term balancing, the costs of utilising batteries alone to bridge the longterm mismatch between supply and demand is unrealistic when considering the cost of investment in a technology with a lifespan of around 20 years.

The report groups storage technologies into three categories according to the typical time in which their contents must be cycled:

1. Minutes to hours: conventional (non-flow) batteries;

2. Days to weeks: flow batteries, advanced compressed air energy storage, Carnot batteries, pumped thermal storage, pumped hydro, liquid air energy storage; or

3. Months or years: synthetic fuels, ammonia, hydrogen.

Meeting the demands of net zero will likely require deployment of technologies within all three groups, and the implications on the cost of electricity will be determined by the scale of deployment. Renewable generation provided directly to the grid will invariably be the cheapest form of electricity, with electricity provided by storage costing more. However, meeting the need for long-duration storage will require very low cost per unit energy stored.

Market reform

As the report’s authors point out, in current wholesale electricity markets, both long-term investment decisions and short-term dispatch are largely governed by a single price signal and this is a challenge for long-term investment because of future price uncertainty.

“The large-scale long-term storage that this report finds will be essential, could never recover its capital costs in such a system since it will be idle much of the time. Existing markets and regulations will also not be able to deliver the operational coordination between wind and solar generators and operators of storage that will be needed to schedule the use of different types of store cost effectively and ensure that they do not become empty. There is an urgent need to recognise these problems and explore possible solutions.”

In short, the report finds that current market structures may incentivise the construction of significant amounts of short-term storage, however, new mechanisms, including forms of guarantees, will be needed to make investment in large-scale, long-duration storage attractive.

It adds: “To contain storage costs, generators and owners of storage will have to cooperate to an unprecedented degree in scheduling charging and dispatch of energy from different types of store. Ensuring this cooperation is likely to require radical reforms.”

While the report’s focus was solely on great Britain, correlations between Great Britain’s island electricity market, and the all-island Single Electricity Market (SEM) can be drawn. Northern Ireland’s demand and supply will be lower than that of Great Britain but will ultimately face the same challenges of addressing the long-term mismatch of supply and demand in an electricity system largely powered by intermittent wind and solar.

As the Department for the Economy prepares to publish a new renewable electricity support scheme (RESS), aimed at increasing levels of renewable electricity, increased use of battery technologies will be the leading technology in providing grid stability in the push to achieve the 80 per cent electricity consumption from renewables by 2030 target.

Increasing interconnection with the Republic will be critical to maximising increased renewable generation across the island, and utilising storage options on a larger geographical area.

As too will policy decisions on the technologies which could and will be deployed to best meet the needs of Northern Ireland’s consumers. The Large Scale Electricity Storage report indicates the need for consideration of short; medium; and longduration storage options to meet the demands of net zero by 2050 and beyond. Incentivising these technologies will require significant market reform.

Accelerating Ireland’s energy transition

Energia Group is committed to powering the energy transition across the island of Ireland.

Ireland’s ability to achieve 80 per cent renewable electricity by 2030 seems challenging and the likelihood of reducing sectoral emissions by 75 per cent seems even more remote, based on recent reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC). But there are reasons to be optimistic, particularly given Ireland’s available renewable resources.

The energy transition presents significant opportunities for Ireland, not just in relation to energy and climate but it also offers an opportunity to progress wider economic and societal outcomes, such as competitiveness, investment, growth and employment. So while we should deliver on these targets to

address climate change, we should also recognise that a failure to take action to accelerate progress at this point, would have broader consequences for our economy and society.

Energia Group is one of Ireland’s leading integrated energy companies, supplying almost 17 per cent of the island of Ireland’s total electricity requirements and we are responsible for approximately 21 per cent of the island’s total wind power.

We have a development pipeline of over 3,400MW of new renewable projects across wind, solar, hydrogen, and battery storage. Our strategy and approach to the energy transition provide us with a unique perspective from which to identify how the energy

transition on the island can be accelerated.

The obvious starting point is with onshore wind and solar. These are well established renewable technologies that can be delivered at scale and at a competitive price. The results of the recent RESS 4 auction demonstrates this and it also suggests that the cost of achieving further progress was marginal.

However, while the four RESS auctions to date have delivered new capacity, the real accelerant for onshore wind and solar is the Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) market. Our newest wind farm, Drumlins Park in County Monaghan, was delivered under a CPPA with Microsoft. We have two further wind farms currently in construction, as well

Energia Group’s newest wind farm, Drumlins Park in County Monaghan, was delivered under a CPPA with Microsoft.

as a significant near-term pipeline of onshore wind and solar projects that we expect will all be delivered under this CPPA Framework Agreement.

Notwithstanding the grid and planning challenges that appear to be ubiquitous in markets across the world, collaboration between renewable developers and large energy users offers an inherently more dynamic route to market than through state auctions. It is therefore important to ensure that a level playing field in policy is established and maintained and that we avoid reversion to a single-track route to market approach, where progress can be constrained by competition ratios and project development requires visibility of a pipeline of future auctions.

On the issues of grid and planning, there are also reasons to be optimistic that the pace of progress can be increased. The new Planning and Development Bill 2023, particularly if supported by a new Planning Framework, can accelerate the process for project consenting.

Significant investment in the electricity grid is critical and, mirroring developments in the grid in Great Britain, the introduction of smart grid technologies could reduce the need for traditional investment in the network and increase efficiency, capacity, and the new renewable connections.

Linked to this, battery storage can also play a more significant role in supporting and accelerating the energy transition, if the signals, incentives, and market rules recognise the ability of batteries to address some of the challenges of operating a power system targeting 80 per cent of all demand being met by renewables. At Energia Group, we have one 50MW battery storage facility just outside of Belfast in Northern Ireland, and a strong pipeline of future projects that are focussed on longer duration storage.

A possible alternative to large volumes of battery storage is interconnection. The basic premise is simple, export electricity at times of surplus renewables and import it in times of need. However, that is not how markets work and given the undifferentiated characteristics of electricity from different countries, it simply flows to the region with the higher price, irrespective of the amount of available renewables in that country.

Furthermore, if such price differentials are systemic, the importation of large volumes of electricity will frustrate the development of new onshore and

offshore renewables, as levels of dispatch down become prohibitive for new renewable investment.

This is not to suggest that interconnectors do not have a role to play in the energy transition but the far more obvious answer is to increase demand for the renewable electricity to match the level of ambition that has already been outlined in policy for new renewable capacity. In a world where demand for the so-called green electron is growing, so too therefore is the opportunity for Ireland to establish a competitive advantage in sectors where renewable electricity can be a determining factor for investment.

This is consistent with our strategic objective to power a new model of sustainable growth in Ireland. It is also consistent with the policy targets set by government, particularly when looking to

the longer-term potential of offshore wind. A principal benefit of this outcome is that Ireland could export the resulting high value product of these investments, as opposed to exporting the opportunity for this to be done elsewhere.

There is an obvious need and clear opportunities to accelerate Ireland’s energy transition, and there are some reasons to be optimistic in relation to 2030. We recognise that this process can be transformative, with an abundance of renewable opportunity translating into long-term, sustainable growth opportunities and it is why we are committed to powering the energy transition across the island of Ireland.

For more information visit www.energia.ie

Powering Prosperity: Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy

Delivering on a Programme for Government commitment, and consolidating on the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030, Powering Prosperity: Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy aspires to build a “successful, vibrant, and impactful offshore wind energy industry”.

The first strategy of its kind in the State, Powering Prosperity aims to ensure that that the energy sector “creates as much value as possible throughout Ireland and maximises the economic benefits associated with government ambitions to deliver its 2030, 2040, and 2050 offshore wind targets”.

The strategy, published in March 2024, focuses on building a “strong and resilient offshore wind supply chain in Ireland” and is based on four pillars:

1. supply chain (both domestic and international);

2. research, development and innovation;

3. future demand and end uses for renewable energy; and

4. balanced regional economic development.

Long-term commitments

With Ireland’s reliance on imported energy sitting at 83.4 per cent in 2022, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has set a target of at least

1 Develop an innovative enterprise ecosystem, with indigenous and multinational companies, that will provide world-leading service to the offshore wind sector.

2 Dramatically scale up the enterprise base that will service the offshore wind sectors in Ireland and around the world.

3 Deliver up to 5,000 jobs in the offshore wind sector and related industries.

4 Maximise opportunities for companies and investors to develop a vibrant and successful supply chain.

5 Proactively assist enterprise, workers, and RD&I ecosystem in availing of these opportunities through targeted funding and supports.

6 Seek to establish an OWCE and a new floating offshore wind demonstrator to support growth and innovation.

7 Pursue strategic partnerships with like-minded countries in Europe and beyond.

8 Work with stakeholders to develop world-class property solutions powered by renewable energy.

9 In collaboration with other departments, develop major industrial hubs around key deployment and O&M ports.

10 Transform Ireland’s regional capacity, and deliver opportunity for the people of Ireland, throughout Ireland, by developing industrial hubs and balanced regional economic growth.

80 per cent of its electricity requirements coming from renewable sources by 2030.

Within Powering Prosperity, DETE acknowledges the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Energy in Ireland 2023 report, which outlines that electricity accounted for 21.9 per cent of Ireland’s total demand. To deliver change within this space, Powering Prosperity outlines 40 actions that support the overall vision and further implement the strategy from DETE.

Focusing on action in 2024 and 2025, the strategy delineates a pathway for Ireland to potentially become recognised as a source of growing entrepreneurial opportunity and foreign direct investment.

DETE aims to build the capacity and capability to develop offshore wind farms that deliver on the 37GW target

by 2050 and give Ireland an edge in exporting products and services related to offshore wind energy (OWE). With the capacity to bring in 500 jobs into the sector, the strategy outlines that Ireland has an opportunity to “develop an ORE sector to serve our growing domestic needs and to grow an ORE industry of a scale that can compete globally”.

In tandem with Ireland having a “maritime area approximately 10 times, and an EEZ of approximately seven times the size of its landmass and with some of the most powerful wind resources in the world”, the strategy asserts that “capacity will also enable the production of green hydrogen and other fuels, the development of a hydrogen industry, the decarbonisation of industrial heat, the export of electricity, and national importance, surety of energy security via interconnection, among other uses”. 4

Breakdown of Ireland’s energy demand by source, 2022

(Source: SEAI’s Energy in Ireland 2023 Report)

Implementation of the strategy is stated to be driven by DETE and reported to the cross-government Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce (OWDT), chaired by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and led by other key government and industry stakeholders.

Offshore potential

Welcoming the strategy in March 2024, thenTaoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said: “I believe Ireland can and will become energy independent, bringing down our energy bills and reliance on other countries for fuel while creating thousands of jobs across the country. The strategy being published today is one of a number of things we are doing across government to make sure that happens.”

Furthermore, the then-Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD stated: “Electricity demand in Ireland is expected to double by 2050. While offshore renewable energy is a nascent industry in Ireland, the potential benefits are multifaceted and cannot be overstated.

“Offshore renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, will add another layer to our economic future, provide energy security in

uncertain times and drive the charge towards decarbonisation and ending our reliance on fossil fuels.”

Appearing before a Joint Committee meeting in April 2024, Gary Tobin, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment asserted: “Overall, the reception of Powering Prosperity has been positive. For example, Wind Energy Ireland ‘warmly welcomed’ the Strategy and committed to working ‘to ensure the benefits from our offshore wind revolution stay in Ireland’.

“We now turn to implementation of Powering Prosperity, with an ambitious programme of work already underway for 2024 and 2025. Our department and its agencies will continue to collaborate with colleagues across government, with industry, and with other national and international stakeholders to achieve our vision.”

Recognising projected challenges in reducing risk involved with “delivery of offshore wind projects, combined with the macro-economic challenges such as inflation, economic growth, and labour force”, DETE aims to publish periodic progress reports on this first iteration of Powering Prosperity, starting in 2025.

RESS ‘risk provisions’ sees volume uplift

RESS

4, the Government’s fourth Renewable Electricity Support Scheme marks significant progress on pricing and volume of allocation than its predecessor.

Announced in September 2024, RESS 4 has provisionally procured just over 2GWh (2,071 MWh) of generation capacity, which equates to around 1,334MW of onshore renewable electricity. This is comprised of 374MW of onshore wind and 960MW of solar. The auctions have resulted in a marginal price decrease per megawatt hour compared to the RESS 3 and RESS 2 auctions.

A total of 56 projects applied to participate in the RESS 4 qualification process. The final results qualified 43 projects to participate in the RESS 4 auction. Three projects did not qualify, and 10 projects formally withdrew from the process.

The average weighted bid price for the auction is €96.85 per MWh, representing a lower average price than both RESS 2 (€97.87) and RESS 3 (€100.47). The weighted average for wind was €90.47/MWh and €104.76/MWh for solar.

In addition to the marginal price decrease, the volumes secured in RESS 4 (1,334MW) are significantly higher than those secured in RESS 3, in which projects totalling 548MW were allocated funding for future generation.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD said that while the results are encouraging, “we need a stronger pipeline of onshore wind and solar energy projects coming through our planning system and connecting to our grid”.

Ryan added: “The provisional results of the fourth onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction will help maximise the volume of renewables connecting to the electricity grid at the lowest cost to the consumer has proven to be a success.

“The average auction price of €96.85 per MWh is lower than both RESS 2 and RESS 3 and the auction has secured a significantly higher volume than RESS 3. The RESS annual auction programme has attracted major international investment into Ireland, creating sustainable employment and delivering for our communities and local economies.

“Ireland’s future prosperity lies in renewable energy and, as a country, we are ambitious. Our ambition will create an energy-independent Ireland, with a stable electricity supply at a stable price. Delivering on our ambition through RESS and other policy measures will create tens of thousands of new green jobs for communities across the State and attract investment.”

Adaptive measures and emissions targets shortfall

Possibly due to the shortfall of successful applications in RESS 3, in May 2024, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications made key changes to the terms and conditions of the RESS.

What the Department describes as “new risk provisions” were introduced with the aim to “shield both developers and consumers”.

The design changes aim to reduce potential risks and any associated risk premiums such as system operator delay or judicial reviews. This also aims to ensure the greatest value for the electricity consumer.

Firstly, the qualification process was streamlined to simplify the requirements on RESS applicants. Secondly, a new ‘relief event’ mechanism was included in the RESS 4 Implementation Agreement, enabling a generator to claim an adjustment (up to a maximum of 24 months) to milestone completion dates.

The relief event mechanism includes provision for the term of RESS 4 support to run past the RESS 4 support end-date (up to 31 December 2045). In addition, it provides scope for a generator to withdraw from RESS 4 without penalty.

While these measures have likely contributed to the increase in future generation, they remain significantly short of the State’s renewable energy targets of 17GW of renewable energy generation needed by 2030 to achieve its target of 80 per cent of electricity from renewables.

Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland, has said that planning challenges mean that there remains a shortfall in allocations to future wind farms.

“Renewable energy projects must have planning permission in order to enter a RESS auction, which emphasises the need for planning applications for renewable energy projects to be quickly, but thoroughly assessed,” Cunniffe said.

More encouraged was Conall Bolger, CEO of the Irish Solar Energy Association, who said that the allocation results “give us a real chance of hitting the Government’s solar targets”.

6 February

Sponsorship opportunities

There are a limited number of opportunities for interested organisations to partner with the conference as a sponsor or exhibitor. This is an excellent way for organisations to raise their proﬁle with a key audience of senior decision-makers from across the renewable gas sector. For more information on packages available and speaking opportunities at the event contact Owen McQuade on 01 661 3755 or email owen.mcquade@energyireland.ie

Renewable Logistics: Transport solutions for the energy transition

As the world moves towards greener alternatives, Renewable Logistics a company within the Quality Freight Group and its dedicated team are committed in facilitating the energy transition.

We specialise in renewable and power generation projects and have been providing logistics services to this sector for many years, understanding the unique needs of the renewable energy sector.

Our expertise allows us to navigate challenges and deliver seamless solutions, from precise route planning to securing and utilising the correct special equipment, our team's commitment to safety and efficiency is always a key to the success of this, and any complex project shipment.

Our experienced partners and industry experts provide global coverage whilst our groupowned warehouse facilities, container depots and heavy lift services across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Netherlands assist us to meticulously manage all related cargo from turnkey projects to urgent plant spare parts.

Our focus is to support every aspect of the renewable energy supply chain, providing workable, cost effective, and efficient transport solutions from first mile to last mile for areas across the energy sector that include renewable energy; power generation; thermal; and LNG.

John Rooney, Managing Director, Flogas Ireland and Ossian Smyth TD, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications at the opening of the Flogas Bio-CNG Fuelling Station.

Heat bill general scheme to be drafted by 2025

In targets outlined in Climate Action Plan 2024, the Government must establish a regulatory model for district heating which “ensures consumer protection and the delivery of a vibrant heating industry”.

Published in December 2023, five months after the release of the District Heating Group Steering Committee’s report in August 2023, Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24) reaffirms the Government’s longstanding commitment to transition to a heating capacity of 2.7 TWh by district heating, as well as outlining a target of 0.7 TWh for residential heating by 2025.

CAP24 calls for up to 0.8 TWh of district heating installed capacity across both the residential and commercial building stock by 2025, and up to 2.7 TWh by 2030. To achieve this, all buildings will need to switch to heat pumps, efficient district heating, or other renewable sources by 2050 to meet the national climate objective.

Government has committed to drafting the general scheme of a heat bill by 2025 to establish a regulatory model for district heating that ensures consumer protection and the delivery of a vibrant district heating industry.

Through this, policy pathways to decarbonise the residential, commercial, and public subsectors are expected to emerge which will build on progress currently taking place in the areas of retrofit and decarbonisation; building regulations and standards; and in developing legal and regulatory frameworks for district heating. These policy pathways are shaped through short- and mediumterm targets outlined in CAP24.

Short-term targets

By 2025, government is aiming to:

• implement the recommendations of the report of the District Heating Steering Group to supply up to 0.7 TWh of district heating to decarbonise residential heating;

• develop legislation to underpin the structures necessary to roll out district heating, thereby accelerating the transition to renewable heat; and

• implement the recommendations of the report of the District Heating Steering Group to supply up to 0.1 TWh of district heating infrastructure to decarbonise heating in commercial and public buildings, including a mandate for public sector bodies to connect to district heating, where possible.

Medium- to long-term targets

By 2030, government is aiming to:

• supply up to 2.5 TWh of district heating to decarbonise residential heating; and

• supply 0.2 TWh of district heating infrastructure to decarbonise heating in commercial and public buildings.

On these targets, CAP24 specifies that district heating is intended to play a “complementary role” to the Government’s National Retrofit Programme, with district heating only an option in certain large population centres. District heating is further outlined as an option for the decarbonisation of public sector buildings.

“For district heating, public sector customers could also provide an important anchor to projects, and government has approved the drafting of legislation on district heating that will, inter alia, mandate connections by the public sector to district heating, when available to those buildings. However, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to decarbonising public sector buildings,” CAP24 states.

District Heating Steering Group Report

The District Heating Steering Group Report was approved by government and subsequently launched at the Dublin Waste-to-Energy Facility (Poolbeg Incinerator) in August 2023.

The contribution that district heating can make to Ireland’s energy and climate goals has long been recognised, with the District Heating Steering Group finding that up to 54 per cent of heat demand in Ireland could be provided by district heating from renewable sources.

Established in 2022 to coordinate the development of district heating policy and to deliver on this potential, the District Heating Steering Group’s final report includes a suite of recommendations that set the future policy direction. Following the official launch of the report, a District Heating Working Group was convened to oversee the implementation of its recommendations.

The Heat and Built Environment Delivery Taskforce, established by recommendation of the District Heating Group Steering Committee, focuses on acceleration of system-wide programme and project delivery for the measures identified. The Energy Efficiency Directive takes the principle of “energy efficiency first” as a key policy requirement for buildings.

Speaking following the publication of the steering group report, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said: “We must radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and transition to more sustainable, low-carbon alternatives – particularly to heat our buildings. District heating has a key role to play in that.”

Energy storage systems and the 2030 Climate Action Plan targets

The publication of the Electricity Storage Policy Framework sends a clear and positive signal to potential developers and funders that Ireland intends to be a business-friendly market for energy storage, writes Seanna Mulrean, Consultant and Head of Energy and Natural Resources at LK Shields.

In order to realise its net-zero carbon emissions objective and to secure Ireland’s future energy supply, the Government is committed to transitioning to an electricity-led system. Electricity storage will be an essential component of this system.

A policy framework was published by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in July 2024 “to clarify the role of electricity storage systems (ESS) in Ireland’s climate objectives and energy transition”.

The Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland

This is a strategic initiative aimed at transforming Ireland’s energy infrastructure.

As the use of renewable energy sources increases, so too does the challenge of managing the intermittent nature of these energy sources and ensuring that a stable energy infrastructure is in place.

Electricity storage systems (ESS) are a means of addressing this issue by capturing excess energy during peak production periods and releasing it during periods of peak demand.

The policy outlines a comprehensive approach to the development of ESS in Ireland. This framework seeks to enhance regulatory and market structures, provides targeted incentives and sets technical standards to support the deployment of these storage solutions. In doing so, Ireland is taking a significant step towards achieving its climate goals and enhancing its electricity supply across the country.

Ten policy actions

The policy identifies the Government's 10 ‘policy actions’ which are designed to support and regulate the integration of ESS into Ireland’s energy system.

Seanna Mulrean

Support access to the wholesale electricity markets, arbitrage and revenue stacking for electricity storage systems.

This action focuses on enhancing the ability of ESS operators to participate effectively in wholesale electricity markets. By supporting access to these markets, the framework aims to enable ESS operators to engage in arbitrage, i.e., buying electricity when prices are low and selling when prices are high.

Additionally, the policy promotes revenue stacking, which means that operators can earn multiple revenue streams by providing various services in addition to energy trading. This multifaceted approach encourages greater deployment of storage technologies by making them more financially attractive and integrated in the broader energy market.

Support the immediate procurement of demand flexibility products and of (long duration) electricity storage to meet specific network needs, in the distribution and transmission systems respectively.

This action is designed to address immediate network requirements by facilitating the procurement of demand flexibility products and long duration electricity storage. These storage solutions can provide extended energy supply during periods of higher demand or low renewable generation. This way the grid can effectively manage fluctuations and maintain a steady flow of electricity.

Funding

Policy actions seven to 10 focus on the creation of a robust funding regime to support the development and implementation of ESS technologies.

Action 7 outlines how the Department will engage an external consultant who will determine the optimum quantity of ESS required in the 2030 to 2040 timeframe.

Actions 8 and 9 focus on initiating financial consultations and, if required, a market framework, to ensure that a wide range of projects can access the necessary capital and therefore reach the optimum quantity of ESS outlined in action 7.

Action 10 will involve engagement with the regulatory authority to ensure the incorporation of sufficient ESS as required throughout the grid. Collectively, these actions aim to provide a stable and supportive financial environment that accelerates the growth of storage infrastructure throughout Ireland.

Variety

The policy also recognises the need for ‘a balanced portfolio of technologies’ rather than just relying on one electricity storage technology to meet our energy requirements. This is reflected in Action 2 through the creation of a ‘sandbox’ project which is an environment in which technologies can be tested in isolation. This will support the system operators, EirGrid and ESB, in identifying new technology capable of being implemented into the grid network.

Challenges

The policy acknowledges the challenges and considerations that must be addressed for successful implementation. Most notable is the operation of the network grid when it comes to dispatchable and nondispatchable generation.

Dispatchable generation refers to conventional thermal generation such as gas turbines, which is predictable and can be controlled to meet system demands.

Non-dispatchable refers to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar and has a more variable output.

For the grid to operate with increased levels of renewable energy, an increased level of specialist services is required to ensure grid stability, referred to as system services. As can be seen in actions 7 through 10, the Government also recognises the ongoing need to

monitor any funding gaps and market access issues that may arise.

Assessment

The policy is a practical initiative in Ireland’s energy strategy and is designed to advance the integration of ESS into the grid network. By addressing key areas such as market access, technical standards, and funding mechanisms, the Policy aims to provide a realistic framework for achieving Ireland’s renewable energy targets.

It is already evident that there has been an increase in battery energy storage systems (BESS) and other storage systems being co-located with renewable energy generation such as wind and solar to facilitate storage when prices and conditions allow, such energy to be dispatched at times of higher demand.

For further information please contact Seanna Mulrean (smulrean@lkshields.ie), Consultant and Head of Energy and Natural Resources at LK Shields.

Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland

2030 northern

target

to

be met

by two renewable electricity support auctions

An ambitious target of 80 per cent renewable electricity consumption by 2030 in the North will need to be met by just two project auctions under the forthcoming renewable electricity support scheme (RESS).

Although not finalised, design considerations by the Department for the Economy for the RESS scheme suggest that only projects procured in the scheme’s first two auctions will be operational by 2030.

Currently, around 45 per cent of Northern Ireland’s electricity consumption comes from renewable sources, mostly onshore wind, and a significant gap exists in reaching the 80 per cent target mandated by the Climate Change Act in less than six years.

An estimated 3.5 TWh of generation are expected to require support if Northern Ireland is to meet the 80 per cent renewable electricity target and the Department’s proposed auction roadmap sees 1,000 GWh (~500MW), procured in 2025/26 for delivery in 2027. This means that auction one of the new support scheme is expected to deliver around 30 per cent of the supported energy volumes required to meet the 2030 target, with the vast majority being from onshore wind and solar projects.

Auction two, therefore, which is set to be held in 2027 for project delivery in 2029 will need to procure around 70 per cent of supported energy needed, a volume of some 2,500 GWh (~1250MW).

The Department says that this second auction will be used to increase the procurement volume of other technologies beyond onshore wind and

solar, but it is not expected to support offshore wind projects.

Interestingly, no timeline has been offered for offshore wind support, despite recognition of the critical role it is intended to play in Northern Ireland’s transition to net zero. The Energy Strategy Action Plan 2022 commits the Department to a target of 1GW of offshore wind capacity from 2030 and the Department says that while it continues to “refine the timeline for offshore wind delivery, at this stage in development, it is not possible to confirm the scale and timing of offshore renewable generation deployment in Northern Ireland”.

The Department for the Economy first held a consultation on design considerations for a renewable electricity support scheme in February 2023 and in early April 2024, the Department issued its Proposed High Level Design on the RESS.

Calls for a renewable electricity support scheme had been longstanding with recognition that market conditions provided little incentive for developers to build further generation. The Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) was Northern Ireland’s last support scheme for encouraging increased renewable electricity generation in Northern Ireland and successfully catapulted the region to a world leader in renewable electricity. However, the scheme closed in 2016/17, with the substantial delivery of new

green energy development in the region largely ceasing with it.

The design proposes a contract for difference (CfD) scheme, based on successful deployment internationally, for a variety of eligible technologies ranging from onshore wind and solar through to tidal energy and storage infrastructure.

Importantly, the scheme is likely to be voluntary, recognising that a mandatory migration to a CfD scheme for legacy projects would significantly alter the financial business model. Additionally, potential delays caused by legal objections to inclusion in a mandatory scheme should be avoided. Finally, feedback suggests that a mandatory scheme could pose a barrier to alternative routes to market, such as corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs).

Subject to change is the proposal that the scheme proposes a minimum capacity for eligibility of 5MW, however, this is likely to be reduced following industry feedback. The Department notes no “broad consensus” for a dedicated support scheme for microgeneration, however, there is recognition that microgeneration could continue to make an important contribution to reaching targets, leaving open the possibility of delivery of a future scheme.

Also likely to be included in the final scheme is a community benefit fund, with the Department recognising

Proposed auction roadmap

2 ~2027 . ~2029 2,500 GWh (~1250 MW)

Source: Department for the Economy

widespread agreement that communities hosting renewable projects should benefit from the wider advantages gained by consumers in Northern Ireland.

The majority of feedback agrees that the optimal frequency for access to the scheme would be between one and two years, with a proposed contract length of 15 years. However, technologyspecific contract lengths are an option.

“A clear roadmap for upcoming auctions was also widely identified as critical to providing enough predictability for developers to manage risk,” the Department states.

On price, pay-as-clear stands out as the most suitable price clearing process, on the basis that auctions need sufficient

• Procure projects at advanced stages of development.

• Procure ~30% of the suppor ted energ y volumes required to meet 2030 target, mainly through Pot 1

• Procure remaining ~70% of suppor ted energ y volumes required to meet 2030 target.

• Increase procurement volume of Pot 2 to diversif y the supply mix

competition for this approach to be effective. As expected, strike prices are likely to be indexed to inflation, minimising revenue uncertainty over the lifetime of the contract for generators.

Finally, there is consensus that Planning Permission and a Grid Connection Offer should be required for projects to be eligible. It is also noted by respondents that these requirements are essential to protect customers from non-delivery or overly speculative bids. However, it has been warned that a balance must be found, and that additional requirements beyond planning permission and a grid connection offer may deter achievable projects, resulting in reduced competition in the auction process.

This eligibility poses a challenge. The

Department estimates that the 30 per cent contribution from auction one will be from projects already in the planning pipeline. The planning system in its current format has been criticised as slow and cumbersome, particularly when it comes to major infrastructure projects.

With only projects procured in the first two auction rounds of a new renewable electricity support scheme likely to be operational by 2030, meeting the ambitious 80 per cent electricity consumption from renewable sources target by that timeframe will require a substantial shortening in determination times for planning applications.

RWE: A leader in renewable energy

With more than 125 years of successful history behind us, RWE is now a leading supplier of renewables worldwide. This in line with our Growing Green investment and growth strategy, which will see RWE investing €55 billion in green technologies between 2024 and 2030.

Kilkenny based RWE expands its portfolio in Ireland

RWE Renewables (RWE) has had its head office in Kilkenny since 2016. RWE is actively seeking new opportunities to develop renewable energy projects and technologies across Ireland.

Clíona O’Sullivan, Head of Onshore

Renewables Development (Wind, Solar and Storage) Ireland, says: “RWE in Ireland is expanding its portfolio to be a long-term energy partner for the country during our transition to carbon neutrality.”

The Irish Government set a roadmap to reduce our country’s carbon emissions by 51 per cent by 2030, compared to 2018 levels and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. “Many of the

changes that are required in the Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24) will also have positive economic and societal benefits and a more sustainable economy for the long term,” O’Sullivan continues.

Ireland’s CAP24 requires the transition to a climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable, and climate-neutral economy. O’Sullivan says that to achieve these objectives, “we must harness our massive renewable natural resources. CAP24 provides us with greater energy security, stable prices, more jobs, and regional development, particularly for rural communities”.

Electricity will play an important role in the decarbonisation of sectors through electrification, including transport, heating, and industry. Among the measures is to increase the proportion of renewable electricity to up to 80 per cent by 2030. A target of 9GW of renewable energy from onshore wind, 8GW from solar, and at least 5GW generated from offshore wind opportunities has been set to be achieved by 2030.

“To reach our targets we will need to double the installed capacity of onshore wind in Ireland from over 4,400MW to 9,000MW. The development of new onshore wind farms is crucial as we move away from our reliance on fossil fuels. Developing renewable energy in Ireland gives us a security of supply and frees us from the dependence on imported fossil fuels,” O’Sullivan adds. Onshore wind is still important to the decarbonisation of the electricity market. Ireland has enormous wind generation potential. It is a clean, non-polluting energy source which does not produce harmful emissions of greenhouse gases in its generation.

“Renewable energy including onshore wind can help us achieve our climate action goals. Onshore wind development will also continue to provide investment and employment nationally, regionally and locally, and particularly to rural communities,” O’Sullivan concludes.

RWE Renewables Ireland: Pioneering offshore wind

RWE Renewables Ireland is leading the delivery of offshore wind projects with an expanding portfolio to support Ireland delivering its ambitious targets for the delivery of 5GW offshore wind by 2030, and at least 37GW by 2050.

Peter Lefroy, Offshore Development Head for Ireland and UK West, comments: “The development of this pipeline presents an exciting opportunity for the Irish economy. With our success in onshore wind projects, we’ve built strong expertise in professional services, construction and operations. However, the scale and projected growth of offshore presents an opportunity of a different magnitude –not only in terms of those existing services but also in respect of regional development, infrastructure, education, training, innovation, and R&D.”

Dublin Array Offshore Wind Farm

Dublin Array is a proposed offshore wind farm, which will be located approximately 10km from the coast of counties Dublin and Wicklow. Once operational, the project will deliver up to

824MW of renewable electricity and will consist of between 39 and 50 wind turbines, which is enough energy to supply approximately 770,000 homes.

Dublin Array was awarded its seabed lease, the Maritime Area Consent (MAC) in December 2022 and a route to market via the Contracts for Difference (CfD) in June 2023, allowing the development to apply for planning permission, which is planned for later in 2024. Subject to planning permission, the project is working to be operational by the end of the decade.

The planned activities for Dublin Array’s operational base in the Dún Laoghaire area are expected to generate €220 million in local expenditure during the construction phase and approximately €540 million across the Greater Dublin region during the operational phase.

Commenting on the job opportunities Vanessa O’Connell, Project Director for Dublin Array Offshore Wind Farm, says: “I returned home to Ireland to work in this rapidly growing industry, and I am thrilled by the potential for numerous skilled roles to emerge from this project. Over 1,000 jobs will be created during the construction stage, with an

additional 240 positions during the operational phase. We are committed to supporting the local community and will prioritize a local supply chain where possible, as we do on other RWE offshore wind farms worldwide.”

Our team

As Dublin Array Offshore Wind Farm progresses through development, we are expanding our team in Ireland to support project delivery. With this expansion, we are moving into a new office in Dún Laoghaire.

Over the past six to 18 months, Dublin Array has recruited a diverse group of professionals with a broad range of experience, competencies, skills, and expertise covering environmental, engineering, legal and commercial. This recruitment underscores our commitment to the project success, our local community, and the offshore wind industry.

W: www.ie.rwe.com

The Dublin Array Offshore Wind Farm team at our recent offsite team-building day in September 2024 at Kilruddery House and Gardens, County Wicklow.

Unlocking Ireland’s hydrogen potential

Hydrogen Europe’s infrastructure and energy policy director Kamila Waciega discusses the path for Ireland’s green hydrogen market and the challenges regarding infrastructure development.

Hydrogen is one of the leading options for renewable energy storage. With the market expanding in both Europe and beyond, Kamila Waciega believes that Ireland must invest in hydrogen infrastructure, and suggests that there is an opportunity to become an export hub.

Hydrogen Europe assists the hydrogen sector in policy support and identifies challenges relating to scaling renewable hydrogen delivery. As such, Waciega and her colleagues have researched at length the benefits of Ireland producing green hydrogen. These include:

1. decarbonising ‘hard to abate’ sectors within industry;

2. ensuring no transport mode is left behind in the energy transition;

3. reducing societal waste and enhancing EU value chains and skills; and

4. making a net zero energy system possible.

Waciega explains: “We envision that hydrogen is a solution that will serve both the industry and energy transport, while also broader serving societal purposes, and contributing to optimisation of the energy system.

“It is expected that electrification will drive the entire energy transition with almost 50 per cent of energy generated by renewable electricity by 2050. However, we are also expecting that 20 per cent will come from renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.”

For that to happen, Hydrogen Europe has been advocating for a European framework for the clean hydrogen market and related infrastructure. The development of the latter involves a combination of European legislation, setting renewable hydrogen targets, and concrete financial project support.

Within the framework, one of the main renewable hydrogen targets that will drive the market for hydrogen and infrastructure, the amended Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) includes binding targets that have been agreed upon for the industry and transport sector. The Directive is also part of the Fit for 55 package, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030.

“To be ready for green hydrogen production tomorrow, we must have necessary enabling infrastructure today.”

Kamila Waciega, Hydrogen Europe

Waciega believes that the Red III Directive is essential for increased hydrogen supply and therefore for providing the right signals and incentives for hydrogen infrastructure.

“For the first time, we have a deal which not only contains a general target in terms of renewable energies for the entire Union, but we also have specific targets for industry and for transport. This time around, we also have targets for hydrogen; this is completely new for the industry in general, and our sector in particular.”

RED III sets the target of 42.5 per cent of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) in the overall hydrogen consumed by industry by 2030 and 60 per cent by 2035.

As for the transport sector, there is a combined sub-target of 5.5 per cent for advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin. There is an additional target of a minimum of 1 per cent generated by renewable liquid or gaseous transport fuels which will be from RFNBOs primarily.

Waciega explains: “This is something very important because this is a framework which will drive the entire market.”

Favourable conditions

The policy framework from the European Commission strategy aims to accelerate the production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources, so it becomes a major component of Europe’s energy supply by 2050. With two delegated acts formally published in June 2023, the policy framework is essential for Ireland to consider when moving to hydrogen.

“We already have a deal – this means that the three institutions, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union agree that this is the form of text that we want to have into EU legislation, and this must be

transposed into national legislation. That will also happen in Ireland,” Waciega explicates.

Waciega explains that there is a significant geographical imbalance between renewable hydrogen generation potential and hydrogen demand.

Ireland, she outlines, has particularly favourable conditions for green hydrogen production given its “immense renewable energy potential” in offshore wind has the capability to produce “significantly more renewable electricity than needed to meet indigenous needs”.

REPowerEU target

REPowerEU set a remarkably ambitious target for hydrogen production though Waciega suggests that the policy framework is inadequate to drive it.

“To be ready for green hydrogen production tomorrow, we must have the enabling infrastructure today,” she says, adding: “We need to think about the time it takes to complete these types of projects.

“In Ireland, developing the infrastructure needed for hydrogen production, transport and storage, it will unlock the possibility of meeting internal consumption demand but above all, there is a great prospect of becoming an export hub for the resource through gas interconnectors and shipping.”

Waciega concludes that Ireland must have two major priorities if it is to become “the power plant of Europe”. The first is to deliver on renewable energy sources (RES) commitments and accelerate investment in renewable resources. The second is to create mechanisms for investing in hydrogen production facilities as well as infrastructure.

Engineering a better future

As

the voice of engineering businesses in Ireland, Ibec’s newest trade association, Engineering Industries Ireland supports the development of the engineering industry both domestically and internationally.

The trade association is comprised of over 150 members companies, spanning various subsectors of engineering such as energy and environment, industrial automation, precision engineering, agricultural machinery, materials handling, print and packaging, automotive, metal fabrication and engineering services.

Engineering in Ireland stands as one of the high-performing engines of our economy. The sector is composed of 10,800 individual enterprises, employing over 50,000 people with annual exports of €8.8 billion.

Engineering Industries Ireland, under the careful stewardship of our board of industry experts, launched its four-year strategy in 2022. As part of this strategy, the vision is for Ireland to become a global engineering centre of excellence, where multinationals and home-grown companies collaborate strategically to help companies become more

sustainable, innovate, prosper, and drive economic growth.

To achieve this objective, the trade associations work focuses on four key pillars: innovation; sustainability; people; and regulation. Our aim in relation to these four pillars is to share best practices amongst our membership base, and to influence policy at both a national and European level.

Through our sustainability and regulatory working groups and policy committees, Engineering Industries Ireland lobby and influence on proposed regulation from the European Commission, most recently, the Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and the Emissions Trading Scheme 2 (ETS2). Understanding best practice around these regulatory requirements is key to our members successfully implementing these regulations once transposed in Ireland.

Engineering Industries Ireland understands how important access to secure, clean, and affordable energy is to our members. Ireland is ideally placed to become a major producer and exporter of green energy, and it is important that the engineering sector is at the forefront of this change.

In its recent Pre-Budget Submission 2025, the trade association calls on the Government to implement measures to support engineering businesses ambition to decarbonise and play a leading role in climate change. These measures include the introduction of a super deduction capital allowance for business investment in environmental and sustainability related capital allowance investments. In addition to this, the submission calls on government to support the adaption of biofuels within the sector and to increase funding for state direct support schemes.

As members of Engineering Industries Ireland, organisations are uniquely positioned to influence and shape the future of Ireland’s engineering sector. Members also have access to a trusted HR and employment law service, industry advocacy and representation, subject matter working groups, national policy committees, and peer to peer networking.

To learn more about Engineering Industries Ireland, please visit our website or reach out directly.

Pauline O’Flanagan Director of Engineering Industries Ireland

E: pauline.oflanagan@ibec.ie

W: www.engineeringindustriesireland.ie

Renewable electricity from offshore wind expected in north after 2030

An indicative timeline contained within the North’s first draft Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan (OREAP) suggests that Northern Ireland’s first offshore wind farm will be operational shortly after 2030.

The indicative timeline published by the Department for the Economy correlates with the recently published proposed high level design for a renewable electricity support scheme for Northern Ireland, which suggests that offshore wind is unlikely to play a role in Northern Ireland’s target of 80 per cent electricity consumption from renewable energy sources by 2030.

The Energy Strategy Action Plan 2022 committed the Department to a target of 1GW of offshore wind capacity from 2030, with a view to accelerating deployment where possible.

While the contribution offshore wind generation to Northern Ireland’s net zero by 2050 target has been acknowledged, the Department says it is not possible to confirm the scale and timings of offshore renewable generation deployment in Northern Ireland.

Therefore, a proposed auction roadmap indicates two auctions will take place to support renewable projects and enable operation before 2030, with offshore wind potentially featuring in a third auction, a timeline for which has not been set.

The draft Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan, for which submissions for

the consultations process closed on 16 March 2023, has been developed with three proposed principles to guide the implementation of the action plan. These are:

1. sustainable development in the marine environment;

2. adaptive approach; and

3. collaboration and partnership.

The draft action plan states that four expert stakeholder working groups are to be established, which identify “key actions required to deliver offshore wind deployment in Northern Ireland waters”.

The working groups are:

• planning, licensing, and consenting;

• network development;

• legislative powers; and

• sectoral growth.

These working groups are complemented by an Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan Steering group which aims to oversee the delivery of the action plan.

The OREAP Steering Group also has the function of monitoring and ensuring that actions within the OREAP are delivered in an “environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable way”.

The offshore wind action plan outlines 2028 as a prospective timeframe for the issuing of offshore generation and transmission licencing.

Currently, Northern Ireland has no offshore wind generating capacity. However, potential scope for progress exists from a 2023 announcement on enabling the construction of offshore wind infrastructure.

In January 2023, a Statement of Intent between the Department for the Economy (DfE) and The Crown Estate was announced which commits towards establishing offshore wind leasing in Northern Ireland.

Yearbook 2025

The essential sourcebook for the Irish energy sector

Advertising opportunities for 2025

2025 marks the 26th edition of the Energy Ireland Yearbook. The Energy Ireland Yearbook is a high quality reference source for users interested or involved in Irish energy from inside or outside Ireland – this includes policymakers, regulators, energy sector company executives, facilities managers, large energy users and professional firms servicing Ireland’s rapidly developing energy markets.

The Energy Ireland Yearbook is the only detailed guide to Irish energy Content includes:

• Energy policy, north and south

• Renewable and sustainable energy

• Overview of electricity market networks

• Gas sector including biogas

Benefits of advertising:

4 Direct contact with key decision-makers within the energy sector

4 Distributed directly to delegates at energy conferences north and south throughout the year

4 Excellent opportunity to profile/showcase your organisation’s goods/services to a key audience throughout the energy sector

4 Gain recognition as a thought leader

• Sustainable energy in industry and transport

• Digital energy

• Unique who’s who in Irish energy

• Transport and fuels

Four south coast offshore areas proposed

The draft South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) has identified four proposed areas off the south coast for offshore wind projects.

The four maritime areas proposed for offshore renewable energy projects have been identified following a comprehensive environmental assessment process and an almost year-long engagement process with coastal communities and stakeholders, de-risking the DMAPs as much as possible.

The draft South Coast DMAP proposes that a first offshore wind project with a capacity of approximately 900MW will take place in Tonn Nua, off the coast of County Waterford, and will aim for deployment by 2030. It further proposes that, over the next decade, further offshore wind projects will be developed in the areas of Lí Ban, also off the coast of County Waterford, and Manannán and Danu, both off the south coast of County Wexford.

The proposal comes in the aftermath an independent economic analysis, published alongside the draft South Coast DMAP, which highlights the potential economic benefits associated with implementation of the plan, which could deliver inward investment of €4.4 billion and an estimated 49,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) years of employment to the economy.

The analysis further highlights that more than 65 per cent of inward investment and employment opportunities could be captured by the south coast region.

Welcoming the draft South Coast DMAP, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD said: “This is a hugely significant milestone; the first time the State has developed a forward spatial plan for renewable energy at this scale. Since taking office, it has been a priority of mine and this government’s to overhaul the regulatory and legislative system so that we could get to this point.

“We can now plan to run an auction and the winners can then proceed to deal with a brand new purpose developed regulator [MARA] before applying to An Bord Pleanála for development permission.”

Following publication on 3 May 2024, the draft South Coast DMAP underwent a six-week statutory public consultation period, which concluded at the end of June.

In numbers: Proposed maritime areas

The draft South Coast DMAP puts forward four proposed maritime areas, within which future deployment of fixed offshore wind (fixed-bottom turbines) may take place.

These are as follows:

Tonn Nua (New Wave), situated off the coast of County Waterford:

• encompasses a total marine area of 312.6km2

• distance to shore varies from between 12.2km along the western boundary to 12.4km along the northern boundary

• mean water depth of 57 metres, with a minimum water depth of 48 metres and a maximum water depth of 69 metres, giving an overall range of 21 metres

• With a typical density of 4.5MW/km2, a 900MW development would use approximately 65 per cent of the total marine space within Tonn Nua

Lí Ban (the Mermaid Saint), situated off the coast of County Waterford:

• total area of 486km2

• distances to shore vary between 49km along the western boundary and 29km along the northern boundary

• mean water depth of 71 metres, minimum water depth of 66 metres, and a maximum water depth of 76 metres, giving an overall range of 10 metres

Manannán (named after a sea god associated with Ireland and a divine lord of the Tuatha Dé Dannan) is off the south coast of County Wexford:

• total area of 342km2

• distance to shore varies between 52km along the western boundary and 27km along the northern boundary

• mean water depth of 69 metres with a minimum water depth of 64 metres and a maximum water depth of 72 metres, giving an overall range of 8 metres

Danu (mother of the Tuatha Dé Danann people and the Celtic goddess of nature), situated off the south coast of County Wexford:

• total area of 304km2

• distance to shore varies between 52km along the western boundary and 27km along the northern boundary

• mean water depth of 67 metres with a minimum water depth of 55 metres and a maximum water depth of 78 metres, giving an overall range of 23 metres

Energy Ireland 2024

Energy Ireland 2024 took place on 22-23 May at Croke Park, Dublin. Over 300 delegates attended the two-day event which was opened with an address from both Minister Eamon Ryan TD and then-

Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA. Delegates in attendance heard from over 40 speakers, both visiting and local, from organisations including the European Commission; the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications; SEAI; ESB; ESRI; Commission for Regulation of Utilities; Bord Gáis Energy; Gas Networks Ireland; National Gas UK; and University of Oslo.

(L-R): J Owen Lewis, IIEA Working Group on Climate and Energy; then-Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA; Minister Eamon Ryan TD; Aoife MacEvilly, CRU; William Walsh, SEAI; and Ciarán Galway, eolas Magazine

Brian Ó Gallachóir, UCC, addresses the crowd.

Dave Kirwan, Bord Gáis Energy; Nicola McSweeney, Gas Networks Ireland; Klair Neenan, SSE Airtricity; John Reilly, Bord na Móna; and Marguerite Sayers, ESB.

Campbell Scott, Virgin Media Ireland; Catherine Lonergan, Bord Gáis Energy; and Teresa Purtill, Bord Gáis Energy.

Energy Ireland 2024 crowd.

Neil Walker, Walker Consulting, asks a question.

Claire Madden, Bord Gáis Energy; Niamh McGovern, Arthur Cox; and Karen Doyle, Gas Networks Ireland.

Jonathan Speers, Dalcour Maclaren, asks a question.

Catherine Banet, University of Oslo, addresses delegates.

Linda Clarke, Goodbody and Lucy McCauley, KPMG.

Delegates visit the Solarport exhibition stand.

Delegates visit the Mitsubishi Electric exhibition stand.

Daniel Grewan, Mace Consultancy Ireland; Daniel Pineda Ovalle, Mace Consultancy Ireland; and Patrick Liddy, Demand Response Association of Ireland.

Katie Petherbridge, National Gas UK and Harry Molloy, Tynagh Energy.

Calor exhibition stand.

Barry Quinlan, DECC, addresses delegates.

Northern Ireland Energy Forum 2024

The 2024 Northern Ireland Energy Forum took place on 17 September in Titanic Belfast. The event brought together over 250 attendees, from Northern Ireland and further afield, to focus on the most important aspects of energy policy and latest developments from across the sector.

The top line up of expert speakers, both local and visiting included Ian Snowden, Department for the Economy; John French, Utility Regulator; Yvonne Murphy, Irish District Energy Association; Christian Calvillo, University of Strathclyde; Pamela Colgan, National Gas UK; and Rachel Sankannawar, Invest Northern Ireland.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the 2024 Northern Ireland Energy Forum sponsors, NIE Networks, firmus energy, TLT, SONI, SSE, plus all speakers, exhibitors, and delegates who joined us in Titanic Belfast and made the forum a huge success

Speakers: Mark Stevenson, firmus energy; John French, Utility Regulator; Klair Neenan, SSE Airtricity; Kevin Murphy, TLT LLP; Derek Hynes, NIE Networks; and Ian Snowden, Department for the Economy.

Sam McCloskey, Simply Blue Group and Paul McElvanna, ESB.

Colm Moane, Bank of Ireland and Stephen Cosgrove, Statkraft.

Emma Kelly, Turley, asks the panel a question.

Speaker: Pamela Colgan, National Gas UK.

Theresa Donaldson, Belfast Harbour and Bob Barbour, Centre for Competitiveness/Smart Grid Ireland.

Matthew Rhodes and Sophie Woodham, Camirus Limited with Eugene Heaney, Invest NI.

Renewable energy companies and organisations

The following is an A-Z list of renewable energy players including industry associations, indigenous energy companies, wind developers, and other organisations.

Government departments and agencies

Action Renewables

Dublin Office

Innovation Campus, Old Finglas Road

Glasnevin, Dublin

Tel: 01 695 0743

Web: www.actionrenewables.ie

Email: info@actionrenewables.ie

Belfast Office

Boucher Business Studios

Glenmachan Place, Belfast, BT12 6QH

Tel: +44 (0)28 9072 7760

Web: www.actionrenewables.co.uk

Email: info@actionrenewables.co.uk

Chief Executive Officer: Terry Waugh

Anesco

Easter Park, Benyon Road, Aldermaston,

Reading RG7 2PQ

Tel: +44 845 894 4444

Web: www.anesco.co.uk

Email: webenquiries@anesco.co.uk

Bord na Móna

Main Street

Newbridge

Co Kildare, W12 XR59

Tel: +353 45 439 000

Web: www.bordnamona.ie

Head of Renewable Energy: John Reilly

COFORD Wood Energy

c/o Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Johnston Castle Estate

Wexford, Y35 PN52

Tel: +353 53 917 0322

Web: www.coford.ie

Email: fsd@agriculture.gov.ie

Chair: Eugene Hendrick

Coillte

8 Dublin Road

Newtownmountkennedy

Co Wicklow, A63 DN35

Tel: 01 201 1199

Web: www.coillte.ie

CEO: Imelda Hurley

Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)

The Grain House, The Exchange Belgard Square North Tallaght, Dublin 24

D24 PXWO

Tel: 01 400 0800

Web: www.cru.ie

Email: info@cru.ie

Commissioner: Jim Gannon (Chair)

Commissioner: Tanya Harrington

Commissioner: Fergal Mulligan

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)

29-31 Adelaide Road

Dublin 2, D02 X285

Tel: 01 678 2000

Web: www.decc.gov.ie

Minister: Eamon Ryan TD

Secretary General: Oonagh Buckley

Assistant Secretary, Energy: Matthew Collins

Assistant Secretary, Energy: Barry Quinlan

Assistant Secretary, Climate Action and Environment: Brian Carroll

Assistant Secretary, Natural Resources and Waste Policy: Philip Nugent

International and Offshore Energy Division Principal: Conor McCabe

Renewable Electricity: Philip Newsome

Hydrogen Policy, Electricity Networks and Systems: John Finnegan

Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland)

Netherleigh, Massey Avenue

Belfast, BT4 2JP

Tel: +44 (0)28 9052 9900

Web: www.economy-ni.gov.uk

Email: dfemail@economy-ni.gov.uk

Minister: Conor Murphy MLA

Permanent Secretary: Ian Snowden

Head of Energy: Richard Rodgers

Director of Energy Consumers, Operations and Finance: Sarah Brady

Energy Programme, Change Management and Intelligence Unit: Anne-Marie McConn (acting)

Director of Electricity and Security of Supply: Peter Russell

Director of Heat, Buildings and Climate Change: Ryan White Director of Business, Gas, Minerals and Petroleum: Jimmy Graham

Energy Saving Trust (Northern Ireland)

River House

48 High Street

Belfast, BT1 2BE

Tel: 0800 142 2865

Web: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Chief Executive: Mike Thorton

Invest Northern Ireland

Bedford Square

Bedford Street

Belfast, BT2 7ES

Tel: +44 (0)28 9069 8000

Web: www.investni.com

Email: eo@investni.com

Chief Executive: Kieran Donoghue

Marine Institute

Rinville, Oranmore

Co Galway, H91 R673

Tel: 091 387 200

Web: www.marine.ie

Email: institute.mail@marine.ie

CEO: Rick Officer

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)

3 Park Place, Hatch Street Upper

Dublin 2

Tel: 01 808 2100

Web: www.seai.ie

Email: info@seai.ie

CEO: William Walsh

Director of Research and Policy Insight: Margie McCarthy Director of Corporate Services: Marion O’Brien

Director of Business, Public and Transport sectors: Declan Meally Director of National Retrofit: Ciaran Byrne

Regional offices

Energy Policy Statistical Support Unit

Building 2100

Cork Airport Business Park Cork, T12 KV8R

Finisklin Business Park, Co Sligo

Finnabair Industrial Estate, Dundalk Co Louth, A91 W8Y7

Tailte Éireann

Phoenix Park

Dublin 8, D08 F6E4

Tel: 01 802 5300

Web: www.tailte.ie

CEO: Liam O’Sullivan

Teagasc

Oak Park, Carlow, R93 XE12

Tel: 059 917 0200

Web: www.teagasc.ie

Email: info@teagasc.ie

Director: Frank O’Mara

Representative bodies

Electricity Association of Ireland

6 Merrion Square North, Dublin D02 FF95

Tel: +353 (1) 524 1046

Web: www.eaireland.com

Email: info@eaireland.com

Chief Executive: Dara Lynott

Energy Institute

61 New Cavendish Street

London, W1G 7AR

Tel: +44 (0)20 7467 7100

Web: www.energyinst.org

Email: info@energyinst.org

Chief Executive: Nick Wayth

Republic of Ireland branch

Chair: Owen McQuade

Secretary: Liam P Ó Cléirigh

Email: ireland@energyinst.org

Northern Ireland branch

Chair: Kevin Murphy

Secretary: Paul Wright

Email: northernireland@energyinst.org

Engineers Ireland

22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge

Dublin, D04 R3N2

Tel: 01 665 1300

Web: www.engineersireland.ie

Director General: Damien Owens

Fuels for Ireland

13 Fitzwilliam Place

Dublin, D02 RX73

Tel: +353 (0) 1 662 9814

Web: www.fuelsforireland.ie

Email: info@fuelsforireland.ie

Chief Executive: Kevin McPartlan

FuturEnergy Ireland

27/28 Herbert Place

Dublin 2

D02 DC97

Tel: 01 669 8565

Web: www.futurenergyireland.ie

Email: info@futurenergyireland.ie

CEO: Peter Lynch

Geothermal Association of Ireland

Secretariat

c/o SLR (Environmental) Consulting

Ireland Ltd

7 Dundrum Business Park

Windy Arbour, Dublin 14

Tel: 01 296 4667

Web: www.geothermalassociation.ie

Email: info@geothermalassociation.ie

Chair: Irene Pascual

Ibec

84/86 Lower Baggot Street

Dublin 2

D02 H720

Tel: +353 (0)1 605 1500

Web: www.ibec.ie

Email: info@ibec.ie

CEO: Danny McCoy

Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) DCU Alpha Business Unit ICA104 Old Finglas Road, Glasnevin

Dublin 11, D11 KXN4

Tel: 086 125 6709

Email: contact@irbea.org

CEO: Seán Finan

Irish Hydro Power Association

Joseph Stewart & Company

Corn Mills, Boyle, Co Roscommon

Tel: 071 967 0100

Web: www.irishhydro.com

Email: info@irishhydro.com

Contact: Neil Stewart

Irish Solar Energy Association

20 Harcourt Street

Dublin 2, DO2 H364

Tel: 01 902 0620

Web: www.irishsolarenergy.org

Email: info@irishsolarenergy.org

CEO: Conall Bolger

Marine Renewables Industry Association

c/o Leixfort, Corrig Avenue

Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

Web: www.mria.ie

Email: chairman@mria.ie

Chair: Peter D Coyle

Secretary: Raymond Alcorn

Meitheal na Gaoithe (Irish Wind Farmers’ Association) Kilkenny Research and Innovation Centre

Burrells Hall

St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny Tel: 056 779 0856

Web: www.mnag.ie

Email: info@mnag.ie

Chair: Grattan Healy

RenewableNI

Arthur House, 41 Arthur Street

Belfast, BT1 4GB

Tel: +44 (0)28 9044 6240

Web: www.renewableni.com

Email: steven.agnew@renewableni.com

Director: Steven Agnew

Wind Energy Ireland

Sycamore House, Millennium Park

Osberstown, Naas, Co Kildare

W91 D627

Tel: 045 899 341

Web: www.windenergyireland.com

Email: office@windenergyireland.com

CEO: Noel Cunniffe

Local energy agencies

3 Counties Energy Agency (3cea)

Kilkenny Research and Innovation Centre

Burrell’s Hall

St Kieran’s College

Kilkenny

R95 TP64

Tel: +353 (0)56 779 0856

Web: www.3cea.ie

Email: admin@3cea.ie

Director: Filip Dumitriu

Bryson Energy

4th Floor, Stockmans House

39-43 Bedford Street

Belfast, BT2 7EE

Tel: +44 (0)28 9032 5835

Web: www.brysonenergy.org

Email: info@brysonenergy.org

Director: Nigel Brady

CODEMA

The Loft, 2-4 Crown Alley Temple Bar

Dublin 2, D02 TK74

Tel: 01 707 9818

Web: www.codema.ie

Email: codema@codema.ie

CEO: Donna Gartland

Cork City Energy Agency

Room 236

Anglesea Street

City Hall

Cork

Tel: +353 (0)21 494 1508

Email: kevin.mcgill@corkcity.ie

Contact: Kevin McGill

Cork County Energy Agency

Cork County Council, Energy Section

Mallow Recycling Centre

Quartertown Industrial Estate

Mallow, Co Cork

Tel: 022 43610

Email: jean.sayers@corkcoco.ie

Contact: Jean Sayers

Galway Energy Agency Limited

City Hall, College Road, Galway

Galway County Council Energy Programme

County Buildings

Prospect Hill

Galway

Tel: 091 566954

Kerry County Council

Áras an Chontae, Rathass

Tralee, Co Kerry

Tel: 066 718 3500

Email: goriordan@kerrycoco.ie

Mayo County Council

Áras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar

Co Mayo, F23 WF90

Tel: (094) 906 4000

Email: environment@mayococo.ie

Contact: Laura Dixon

Meath County Council

Energy Unit – Transportation Section

Buvinda House, Dublin Road

Navan, County Meath, C15 Y291

Tel: 046 909 7000

Email: lfagan@meathcoco.ie

Contact: Lara Fagan

Midlands Energy Agency

Laois County Council

County Hall, JFL Avenue

Portlaoise, R32 EHP9

Tel: 057 86 64000

Email: corpaffairs@laoiscoco.ie

Climate Action Coordinator: Suzanne Dempsey

Tipperary Energy Agency Limited

93 Silver Street

Nenagh, Co Tipperary

E45 AD65

Tel: 052 744 3090

Web: www.tippenergy.ie

Email: info@tippenergy.ie

Chief Executive Officer: Lisa Vaughan

Waterford Energy Bureau

4th Floor, Menapia Building

The Mall, Waterford, X91 PK15

Tel: 058 21429

Web: www.waterfordcouncil.ie

Email: lfleming@waterfordcouncil.ie

Contact: Liam Fleming

Renewable energy companies

Balcas Energy

75 Killadeas Road, Laragh

Ballinamallard

Enniskillen, BT94 2ES

Tel: +44 (0)28 6632 3003

Web: www.balcas.com

Email: info@balcas.com

CEO: Brian Murphy

Bord na Móna

Main Street, Newbridge

Co Kildare, W12 XR59

Tel: 045 439 000

Web: www.bordnamona.ie

Head of Powergen Development: John Reilly

Bord Gáis Energy

1 Warrington Place

Dublin 2

Tel: 01 233 5000

Web: www.bordgaisenergy.ie

Email: info@bordgais.ie

Managing Director: Dave Kirwan

Calor

Longmile Road, Dublin 12

Tel: 01 1850 812 450

NI: +44 (0)28 9045 5588

Web: www.calorgas.ie

Chief Executive: Duncan Osborne

Clearpower

Knockbrack House, Matthews Lane

Donore Road, Drogheda Co Louth, A92 T803

Tel: 01 462 5000

Email: info@clearpower.ie

Operations Manager: Eric Bolton

DP Energy Ireland Ltd

Mill House, Buttevant

Co Cork, P51 TN35

Tel: 02 223 955

Web: www.dpenergy.com

Email: info@dpenergy.com

CEO and Director: Simon De Pietro

ElectroRoute

2 Cumberland Place

Third Floor, Fenian Street

Dublin 2, D02 H0V5

Tel: 01 687 5700

Web: www.electroroute.com

Email: info@electroroute.com

Co-CEO: Donal Flynn and Caoimhe Giblin

EirGrid

The Oval

160 Shelbourne Road

Ballsbridge

Dublin 4, D04 FW28

Tel: 01 677 1700

Web: www.eirgridgroup.com

Email: info@eirgrid.com

Interim Chief Executive: Martin Corrigan

Energia – Renewables

The Liberty Centre

Blanchardstown Retail Park

Dublin 15

D15 YT2H

Tel: 01 869 2000

Web: www.energia.ie

Email: Contact@energiagroup.com

Managing Director: Peter Baillie

ESB

27 Fitzwilliam Street Lower

Dublin, D02 KT92

Tel: 01 676 5831

Web: www.esb.ie

Email: info@esb.ie

Chief Executive: Paddy Hayes

ESB Networks

Three Gateway, East Wall Road

Dublin 3, D03 R583

Tel: 1800 372 757

Web: www.esbnetworks.ie

Managing Director: Nicholas Tarrant

Flogas Ireland Limited

Knockbrack House, Mathews Lane

Mathews Lane, Donore Road

Drogheda, Co Louth

A92 T803

Tel: 041 983 1041

Web: www.flogas.ie

Email: info@flogas.ie

Managing Director: John Rooney

Flogas Northern Ireland

Airport Road West

Belfast Harbour Estate

Belfast, BT3 9ED

Tel: 028 9073 2611

Web: www.flogasni.com

Email: info@flogasni.com

Managing Director: John Rooney

Gas Networks Ireland

Gasworks Road, Cork

T12 RX96

Tel: 021 453 4000

Web: www.gasnetworks.ie

Email: networksinfo@gasnetworks.ie

CEO: Cathal Marley

GE Grid Solutions

Tel: +353 1 402 1100

Web: www.gegridsolutions.com

Email: GridSolutions.Ireland@ge.com

Sales Leader :

Séamus Ó Caoimh

Greenlink Interconnector Limited

Unit 3, 4075 Kingswood Road

Citywest Business Campus

Saggart, Co Dublin

D24 KF85

Web: www.greenlink.ie

Email: info@greenlink.ie

Contact: John Daly

Hitachi Energy Ireland Limited

Block B, Liffey Valley Office Campus

Dublin, 22, D22 X0Y3

Tel: +353 1 574 7981

Email: contact-us@hitachienergy.com

Managing Director: Laura Fleming

Indaver Ireland

The Highline, 1st Floor

Bakers Point, Pottery Road

Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, A96 KW29

Tel: 01 697 2900

Web: www.indaver.ie

Email: info@indaver.ie

Director: Seamus Flynn

Irving Oil

Whitegate

Midleton, Co Cork

Tel: 021 462 2200

Email: webinquiries@irvingoil.com

Chair: Jeff Matthews

KRA Renewables

Head Office

E11a Network Enterprise Park

Kilcoole

Co Wicklow

Dublin Office

Suite 54

20 Harcourt Street

Dublin 2

Tel: +353 (0)1 524 0555

Web: www.krarenewables.ie

Email: ciara@kra.ie

Contact: Ciara Ledwidge

Mainstream Renewable Power

Ground Floor, Block G Central Park, Leopardstown

Dublin, D18 NH10

Tel: 01 290 2000

Web: www.mainstreamrp.com

Email: info@mainstreamrp.com

Group Chief Executive: Mary Quaney

Nordex Energy Ireland Ltd

Clonmel House Business Centre

Clonmel House, Forster Way

Swords Demesne, Swords

Co Dublin

Tel: 01 897 0260

Web: www.nordex-online.com

Email: salesireland@nordexonline.com

Managing Director: Jason Welch

NTR plc

1st Floor, The Hive

Carmanhall Road

Sandyford Business Park

Dublin, D18 Y2C9

Tel: 01 206 3700

Web: www.ntrplc.com

Email: info@ntrplc.com

Chief Executive: Rosheen McGuckian

RWE Renewables Ireland Limited

Unit 5, Desart House

Lower New Street

Kilkenny, R95 H488

Web: www.rwe.com/ireland

Email: ireland@rwe.com

Head of Onshore Renewables

Development: Cathal Hennessy

SIAC Construction

Knockmeenagh House

Monastery Road

Clondalkin, Dublin 22 D22 F6V2

Tel: 01 403 3111

Web: www.siac.ie

Email: info@siac.ie

Simply Blue Group

Dublin Office

43 Fitzwilliam Place

Dublin 2

D02 FY81

Cork office

Floor 3, Centre Park House

Centre Park Road

Blackrock

Cork City, T12 RK0N

Web: www.simplybluegroup.com

Email: info@simplybluegroup.com

Contact: Sam Roch-Perks

Siemens Limited Innovation House

DCU Alpha Old Finglas Road, Dublin 11

Tel: 01 450 2655

Web: www.siemens.ie

CEO GB and Ireland: Carl Ennis

SSE Renewables

Red Oak South

South County Business Park

Leopardstown

Dublin, D18 W688

Tel: +353 1 655 6400

Managing Director: Stephen Wheeler

Veolia Suite 18, Plaza 256

Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2

Blanchardstown

Dublin 15, D15 H210

Tel: +353 1 870 1280

Web: www.veolia.ie

Service providers

ABCO Divers

282 Moira Road

Lisburn, BT28 2TU

Tel: +44 (0)28 9202 7770

Web: www.abcodivers.co.uk

Email: operations@abcodivers.co.uk

Aecom

4th Floor, Adelphi Plaza

George’s Street Upper

Dún Laoghaire, A96 T927

Tel: 01 238 3100

Web: www.aecom.com

Director: John O’Regan

Arctic Ships Agents

Roshine Road

Killybegs

Co Donegal

Tel: +44 (0)74 974 1165

Web: www.arcticshipsagents.com

Email: info@arcticshipsagents.com

Arup Consulting Engineers

One Albert Quay

Cork, T12 X8N6

Tel: 021 422 3200

Web: www.arup.com

Email: cork@arup.com

Contact: Liam Luddy

CADFEM Ireland

18 Windsor Place

Dublin 2, D02 PW74

Tel: +353 (0)16 522 730

Web: www.cadfem.net

Email: info@cadfem.ie

Director: Derek Sweeney

Celtic Dynamics Engineering

Galway, Ireland

Tel: +353 83 169 1804

Web: www.celticdynamics.com

Email: sales@celticdynamics.com

CEO: Dylan Walsh

Grant Engineering Ireland

Crinkle, Birr

Co Offaly, R42 D788

Tel: +353 (0)57 9120089

Web: www.grant.ie

Email: info@grant.ie

Managing Director: Stephen Grant

Hydrographic Surveys Limited

Unit 12, Owenacurra Business Park

Midleton, Co Cork

P25 C563

Tel: 021 483 1184

Web: www.hydrosurvey.com

Email: info@hydrosurvey.com

IGSL Ltd

Unit F, M7 Business Park

Naas, Co Kildare

Tel: 045 846 176

Web: www.igsl.ie

Email: info@igsl.ie

Irish Drilling Ltd

Old Galway Road

Loughrea, Co Galway

Tel: 091 841 274

Web: www.irishdrilling.ie

Email: info@irishdrilling.ie

Itron Management Consultants

Ireland

Hatch Street Upper Block 1000, Unit 1105

Cork, V35 TK35

Tel: +353 21 441 0000

Web: www.itron.com

CEO: Tom Deitrich

Jacobs Engineering

Merrion House, Merrion Road

Dublin, D04 R2C5

Tel: +353 0.1.269.5666

Web: www.jacobs.com

Contact: Joanne Moran

Jones Engineering

83 Pembroke Road

Dublin 4, D04 HN50

Tel: +353 1 474 9800

Web: www.joneseng.com/contact/ireland

Contact: Pat Murphy

Kingspan Water & Energy Ltd

180 Gilford Road, Portadown

Co Armagh, BT63 5LF

Tel: +44 (0)28 3836 4400

Web: www.kingspanwaterandenergy.com

Email: contact@kingspan.com

Kyte Powertech

Dublin Road

Cavan, H12 KV20

Tel: +353 49 433 1588

Web: www.kytepowertech.com

CEO: Stephanie Leonard

COO: Martin Reilly

Medite Europe Ltd

Redmondstown, Clonmel

Co Tipperary, E91 V584

Tel: 01 322 424 900

Web: www.mdfosb.com

Email: david.murray@mdfosb.com

Contact: David Murray

Mott MacDonald Ireland Ltd

South Block, Rockfield Dundrum, Dublin D16 R6V0

Tel: 01 291 6700

Web: www.mottmac.com/ireland Email: dublin@mottmac.com

Occupli

Euro Business Park

Cork

T45 DK25

Tel: 0818 315 415

Web: www.occupli.com

Email: info@occupli.com

Contact: Martin Clancy

P&O Maritime Services

Parkmore Business Park West

Galway

Tel: 091 773 980

Web: www.pomaritime.com

Email: poml.europe@pomaritime.com

Quality Freight

Port Centre, Alexandra Road

Dublin, D01 H4C6

Tel: +353 (0) 1 836 6233

Web:

www.qualityfreight.com/contact/dublin

Email: sryan@qualityfreight.com

Commercial Manager: Shaun Ryan

Reverve Energy

101 George’s Street Upper

Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin

Tel: +353 (0) 1 440 3865

Web: www.reverve.ie

Email: danielle.quevedo@reverve.ie

Contact: Philip Doyle

RPS Group

West Pier Business Campus

Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

A96 N6T7

Tel: 01 488 2900

Web: www.rpsgroup.com/ireland

Contact: Olivier Gaillot

Shannon Foynes Port Company

Harbour Office

Foynes, Co Limerick

V94R232

Tel: 069 73 100

Web: www.sfpc.ie

Email: info@sfpic.ie

CEO: Pat Keating

SKE Solar

Tel: +43 732 641 06570

Web: www.ske-solar.com

Email: akash.bais@ske-solar.ie

Contact: Akash Bais

SLR Consulting Ireland

7 Dundrum Business Park

Windy Arbour, Dublin

D14 N2Y7

Tel: 01 296 4667

Smith Brothers Contracting Limited

3 Inns Quay

Dublin

Tel: 01 903 6480

Web: www.smithbrothers.ie

Email: info@smithbrothers.ie

SmartBay Ireland

Rinville

Oranmore

Co Galway, H91 R673

Tel: +353 (0)9 138 7200

Web: www.smartbay.ie

Email: info@smartbay.ie

Solmatix Ltd

14 Glenwell Road

Newtownabbey

Co Antrim, BT36 7RF

Tel: +44 (0)28 9082 4000

Web: www.solmatix.com

Email: info@solamatix.com

SSL International Marine Ltd

Main Street, Foynes, Co Limerick

Tel: 069 65 710

Web: www.sslmarine.ie

Email: services@sslmarine.ie

Contact: Helen Fitzgerald

Subsea Marine Limited

15 Belfry Gardens, Dundalk

Co Louth, A91 V5Y6

Tel: 087 254 7362

Web: www.subseamarine.ie

Email: info@subseamarine.ie

TechWorks Marine

Pottery Enterprise Zone

Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire

Co Dublin, A96 K571

Tel: 01 236 5990

Web: www.techworks.ie

Chief Executive: Charlotte O’Kelly

Trinity College Dublin

College Green

Dublin 2

Tel: 01 896 1000

Web: www.tcd.ie

Legal advisors

A&L Goodbody LLP

3 Dublin Landings

North Wall Quay

Dublin 1, D01 C4E0

Tel: 01 649 2000

Web: www.algoodbody.com

Email: rmoore@algoodbody.com

Partner: Ross Moore

Addleshaw Goddard LLP

Temple Chambers

3 Burlington Road

Dublin 4, D04 RD68

Tel: 01 202 6400

Web: www.addleshawgoddard.com

Partner: Gavin Blake

Byrne Wallace

88 Harcourt Street

Dublin 2, D02 DK18

Tel: 01 691 5000

Web: www.byrnewallace.com

Email: info@byrnewallace.com

Partner: Martin Cooney

Beauchamps Solicitors

Riverside Two

Sir John Rogerson's Quay

Dublin 2, D02 KV60

Tel: 01 418 0600

Web: www.beauchamps.ie

Email: info@beauchamps.ie

Partner: Ainsley Heffernan

Carson McDowell

27-28 Herbert Place

Dublin 2, D02 DC97

Tel: 01 9053 720

Web: www.carson-mcdowell.com

Email: law@carson-mcdowell.com

Senior Partner: Neasa Quigley

Murray House, Murray Street

Belfast, BT1 6DN

Tel: +44 (0)28 9024 4951

Elva Carbery

Pembroke House

28-32 Upper Pembroke Street

Dublin 2, D02 EK84

Tel: +353 86 839 9224

Web: www.elvacarbery.ie

Email: elva@elvacarbery.ie

Eversheds Sutherland LLP

One Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace

Dublin 2, D02 X668

Tel: 01 664 4200

Web: www.eversheds-sutherland.com

Email: seanscally@evershedssutherland.ie

Partner: Séan Scally

Fieldfisher Ireland LLP

45 Mespil Road

Dublin 4, D04 W2F1

Tel: 01 828 0600

Web: www.fieldfisher.ie

Email: info.ireland@fieldfisher.com

LK Shields Solicitors

38 Upper Mount Street

Dublin 2, D02 PR89

Tel: 01 661 0866

Web: www.lkshields.ie

Email: pdaly@lkshields.ie

Partner: Philip Daly

Maples and Calder

75 St. Stephen’s Green

Dublin 2, D02 PR50

Tel: 01 619 2000

Web: www.maplesandcalder.com

Mason Hayes & Curran

South Bank House

Barrow Street, Dublin 4

D04 TR29

Tel: 01 614 5000

Web: www.mhc.ie

Email: dublin@mhc.ie

Partner: Liam Brazil

Matheson

70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2

Tel: 01 232 2000

Web: www.matheson.com

Email: garret.farrelly@matheson.com

Partner: Garret Farrelly

McCann Fitzgerald LLP

Riverside One

Sir John Rogerson’s Quay

Dublin, D02 X576

Tel: 01 829 0000

Web: www.mccannfitzgerald.ie

Email: valerie.lawlor@mccannfitzgerald.com

Partner: Valerie Lawlor

Philip Lee Solicitors

Connaught House

One Burlington Road

Dublin 4, D04 C5Y6

Tel: 01 237 3700

Web: www.philiplee.ie

Email: info@philiplee.ie

Partner: Philip Lee

Pinsent Masons LLP

1 Windmill Lane, Dublin 2

D02 F206

Tel: 01 553 8600

Web: www.pinsentmasons.com

Email:

richard.murphy@pinsentmasons.com

Partner: Richard Murphy

Tughans

The Ewart, 3 Bedford Street

Belfast, BT2 7EP

Tel: 028 9055 3300

Web: www.tughans.com

Email: maria.oloan@tughans.com

Partner: Maria O’Loan

William Fry Solicitors

2 Grand Canal Square

Dublin Docklands

Dublin 2, D02 A342

Tel: 01 639 5000

Web: www.williamfry.com

Email: liam.mccabe@williamfry.com

Chairperson: Liam McCabe

William Orbinson QC

The Bar Library

91 Chicester Street

Belfast, BT1 3JQ

Tel: +44 78 6024 5324

Web: www.williamorbinson.co.uk

Email: william.orbinson@barlibrary.com

Financial and economic advisors

Accenture

1 Grand Canal Square

Dublin 2, D02 P820

Tel: 01 646 2000

Web: www.accenture.com

AIB Group

10 Molesworth Street

Dublin 2

Tel: 01 772 4003

Web: www.aib.ie

Director: Eoghan O’Neill

Bank of Ireland

Baggot Plaza

27-33 Upper Baggot Street

Dublin, D04 VX58

Tel: +353 (0)1 661 5933 Web: www.bankofireland.com

Barclays

One Molesworth Street

Dublin 2, D02 RF29

Tel: 01 618 2600 Web: www.barclays.ie

BNP Paribas

Termini, 3 Arkle Road

Sandyford, Dublin 18, D18 T6T7

Tel: 01 612 5000

Web: www.bnpparibas.ie

Email: dublin.queries@bnpparibas.com

Davy Corporate Finance Ltd

Davy House, 49 Dawson Street

Dublin 2, D02 PY05

Tel: +353 (0)1 679 7788

Web: www.davy.ie

Email: capitalmarkets@davy.ie

EY Building

Harcourt Centre

Harcourt Street, Dublin 2

Tel: 01 475 0555

Web: www.ey.com/en_ie

Bedford House, 16 Bedford Street

Belfast, BT2 7DT

Tel: +44 (0)28 9044 3500

Goodbody Corporate Finance

2 Ballsbridge Park, Ballsbridge

Dublin 4, D04 YW83

Tel: 01 667 0400

Web: www.goodbody.ie

Email: finbarr.j.griffin@goodbody.ie

Contact: Finbarr Griffin

KPMG

1 Stokes Place

St Stephen’s Green

Dublin 2, D02 DE03

Tel: +353 1 410 1000

Web: www.kpmg.com

Email: james.delahunt@kpmg.com

Partner, Corporate Finance: James Delahunt

PwC

One Spencer Dock

North Wall Quay, Dublin 1

Tel: 01 792 6000

Web: www.pwc.ie

Contact: Ronan MacNiocláis

Merchant Square

20-22 Wellington Place

Belfast, BT1 6GE

Tel: +44 (0)28 9024 5454

Web: www.pwc.co.uk

Surety Bonds

Unit 1, Block C

Hartley Business Park

Carrick on Shannon

Co Leitrim, N41 X528

Tel: +353 (0)71 962 3228

Web: www.suretybonds.ie

Email: bonds@suretybonds.ie

Managing Director: Colm McGrath

Ulster Bank

Head Office

Block 13, Central Park

Leopardstown

Dublin 18, D18 N153

Tel: 0818 211 690

Web: www.ulsterbank.ie

Renewable energy research institutions

The following is an A-Z list of institutions involved in renewable energy research.

Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE)

Queen’s University Belfast

CASE is a £10 million centre for industry driven research, aligning renewable energy expertise at Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and AFBI with the research needs of participating companies. Through the Invest NI Competence Centre Programme, CASE funds collaborative R&D in sustainability.

Research interests:

• bioenergy;

• energy systems; and

• marine renewable energy.

Contact details:

Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy Queen’s University Belfast

David Kerr Building, Stranmillis Road Belfast, BT9 5AG

Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5577

Web: www.case-research.net

Email: martin.doherty@qub.ac.uk

Contact: Martin Doherty

Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI)

University College Cork

MaREI is the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine research and innovation co-ordinated by the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at University College Cork. The centre comprises over 220 researchers focusing on defined global challenges such as the energy transition, climate action and the blue economy.

Research interests:

• coastal and marine systems;

• marine renewable technologies;

• bioenergy;

• materials and structural testing;

• observation and operations;

• energy policy and modelling; and

• energy management.

Contact details:

Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI) Beaufort Building

Environmental Research Institute University College Cork Haulbowline Road

Ringaskiddy, Co Cork

Tel: 021 486 4300

Web: www.marei.ie

Email: marei@ucc.ie

Centre Directors: Brian Ó Gallachóir and Jerry Murphy

Centre for Renewables and Energy Dundalk Institute of Technology (CREDIT)

The Centre for Renewables and Energy at Dundalk IT is an applied research centre based in the School of Engineering established in 2002. The centre seeks national and EU funds to pursue research projects in the topics of wind energy, energy storage, bioenergy and wave energy.

Research interests:

• wind energy;

• oceandemo project;

• INTERREG VA SPIRE2;

• SEAI RD&D 2018 Dundalk virtual energy microgrid project;

• bioenergy; and

• wave energy research.

Contact details:

Centre for Renewables and Energy Dundalk Institute of Technology

Dublin Road

Dundalk

County Louth, A91 K584

Tel: +353 (0)42 937 0474

Web: www.credit.ie

Email: admin@credit.ie

Centre Director: Paul MacArtain

COFORD

COFORD is part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s research division. Established in 1993, it is responsible for the development of national forest research and development policy and priorities.

Research interests:

• wood energy, harvesting and processing forest biomass for energy production in Ireland;

• climate change – impact adaption and mitigation – responding to a changing climate; and

• expansion of the forest resource –sustainable increase in productive area.

Contact details:

COFORD

Forest Sector Development

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Johnstown Castle

Wexford

Tel: +353 (0) 53 917 0322

Web: www.coford.ie

Email: fsd@agriculture.gov.ie

Energy Institute

University College Dublin

UCD Energy Institute plays an integral part in the energy transition, endorsing a net zero carbon energy system, promoting modernised integrated energy systems while empowering the citizen through education, innovation and digitalisation.

Research interests:

• energy systems;

• energy management; and

• energy in society.

Contact details:

Energy Institute

UCD O'Brien Centre for Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4

Tel: +353 1 716 2625

Web: www.energyinstitute.ucd.ie

Email: energy@ucd.ie

Contact: Andrew Keane

Energy, Power and Intelligent Control (EPIC)

Queen’s University Belfast

Research within EPIC is focused on problems related to distributed sources of energy and their integration into power networks, control and intelligent systems. The EPIC research facility is equipment with various forms of renewable energy generation including wind turbines, solar photovoltaics and biodiesel generators. It has expertise in monitoring large wind farms and simulating their effects and integration with the electricity grid.

Research interests:

• power systems and smart grid;

• renewable energy;

• intelligent systems; and

• virtual reality and robotics.

Contact details:

Energy, Power and Intelligent Control

School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Ashby Building Stranmillis Road

Belfast, BT9 5AH

Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 4669

Email: dr-epic@qub.ac.uk

Energy Research Centre

University of Galway

The Energy Research Centre focuses on research, education and outreach in the fields of energy and environment. Established in 2007, it is part of the Ryan Institute (for environment, marine and energy research). The centre is divided into four thematic research groups: bioenergy research; renewable resources; energy efficient technologies; energy and society.

Research interests:

Bioenergy Research Group

• microbial fermentations and digestion of organic feedstocks;

• biocatalytic fuel cells; and

• combustion chemistry.

Energy Efficient Technologies Group

• energy efficient wastewater treatment;

• power conversion technologies;

• energy and buildings;

• energy storage;

• efficient materials technology; and

• solar capture.

Renewable Resources Group

• the use of high-resolution bathymetric data obtained from the INSS and INFORMAR programmes as an input into massively parallelised hydrodynamic modelling code to infer those locations in the offshore zone which would be optimum for tidal energy.

Contact details:

Energy Research Centre

Ryan Institute, University of Galway University Road, Galway Tel: 091 495 061

Web: www.universityofgalway.ie

Email: energy@universityofgalway.ie

Energy Research Group

Trinity College Dublin

The Energy Research Group focuses on the development of next-generation renewable energy technologies, while also examining topics such as energy recovery and behavioural change to address sustainability. Two prominent initatives exist under this research theme: Trinity Haus, an innovation centre focusing on energy in buildings and sustainability in the built environment; and the Solar Energy Applications Group (SEAG), leading research group working in solar energy.

Research interests:

• hydro;

• solar;

• wind; and

• wave.

Contact details:

Energy Research Group

Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Museum Building, Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2

Tel: 01 896 1457

Web: www.tcd.ie/civileng/research/energy/ Email: civeng@tcd.ie

Contact: Biswajit Basu

Environment and Renewable Energy Centre (EREC)

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)

The Environment and Renewable Energy Centre (EREC) based at AFBI Hillsborough assists the agri-food industry to maximise the potential of renewable energy and support technology transfer activities.

Research interests:

• evaluation of short rotation coppice (SRC) willow production with bioremediation of dirty water;

• storage and utilisation of biomass crops;

• the carbon footprint of agricultural enterprises;

• combustion and emission characteristics of varying biomass sources;

• demonstration of other renewable energy technologies;

• demonstration of energy saving design and technology; and

• anaerobic digestion of animal manure.

Contact details:

Environment and Renewable Energy Centre (EREC)

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)

Large Park, Hillsborough Co Down, BT26 6DR

Tel: +44 (0)28 9268 2484

Web: www.afbini.gov.uk/articles/environment-andrenewable-energy-centre

Email: renewable.energy@afbini.gov.uk

Contact: Stanley McDowell

Environmental Research Institute

University College Cork

The Environmental Research Institute was established in 2000 and is aimed at supplying environmental research and education at UCC. The institute brings together expertise in biological, chemical and environmental sciences as well as environmental engineering, energy and law. The institute has over 150 researchers and five thematic research areas, one of which is sustainable energy and environmental engineering.

Research interests:

• wind energy;

• bioenergy and biofuels;

• energy policy and modelling;

• climate change (GHG flux modelling and climate change adaption); and

• marine renewable energy.

Contact details:

Environmental Research Institute (ERI) Lee Road, Cork, T23 XE10

Tel: 021 490 1931

Web: www.ucc.ie/en/eri

Email: eri@ucc.ie

Contact: Paul Bolger

Marine Institute, Galway

Established by the Marine Institute Act 1991, the Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation. The institute operates an ocean energy test site with SEAI. Real-time wave information is available at the Galway Bay test site for all developers of wave energy devices who have a prototype that is built for open water testing in a relatively sheltered location.

Research interests:

• marine technology;

• climate change; and

• marine biotechnology.

Contact details:

Marine Institute

Rinville, Oranmore, Co Galway, H91 R673

Tel: 091 387 200

Web: www.marine.ie

Email: institute.mail@marine.ie

Teagasc

Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, provides integrated research and advisory and training services to the agricultural and food sectors as well as rural communities. It is funded by the State, research programmes and other revenue streams. In the area of energy research, Teagasc aims to promote the development and expansion of renewables production from agricultural sources.

Research interests:

• energy crops;

• liquid biofuels;

• biomass combustion;

• carbon sequestration; and

• anaerobic digestion.

Contact details:

Teagasc

Oakpark, Carlow, R93 XE12

Tel: 059 917 0200

Web: www.teagasc.ie

Teagasc Director: Frank O’Mara

We must produce more energy here in Ireland

In 2023, 83 per cent of Ireland’s energy requirement was met by fossil fuels, most of this in the form of imported oil from the UK, the USA, and Azerbaijan as well as imported natural gas from the UK and Norway.

This energy comes at a high cost; we spend about €1 million an hour on energy in Ireland.

Our energy prices are also highly volatile and influenced by global geopolitics, regional weather, and wars. All of these happen beyond our borders and are beyond the control of the Government.

As we look to the future, the energy landscape on which Ireland relies so heavily is looking increasingly more fragile, less secure, and more volatile.

To protect our economy against this volatility, we must produce more energy here in Ireland.

While we use huge amounts of fossil fuels in Ireland, we do not have a rich fossil fuel resource.

Over the past 40 years, we have drilled 161 wells in Irish offshore waters looking for oil and gas; there have been four commercial gas discoveries and no commercial discoveries of oil.

While we do not have commercially available fuel under the ground, we have it in abundance over the ground in terms of wind and solar which can be

Despite progress made on renewable electricity, mainly from wind power, Ireland remains highly dependent on imported fossil fuels to satisfy our needs for heating our homes, fuelling our cars and trucks, and powering our homes, writes Paul Deane, senior lecturer in clean energy futures at MaREI.

used to make electricity, and this electricity can also be used to replace the traditional uses of oil and gas for transport and heating.

But the move away from fossil fuels will take both time (at least two decades) and significant investment.

It is not correct to think that a transition away from fossil fuels will be cheap or easy. It will not, but if managed correctly it can be affordable and worthwhile.

Investment is required to build infrastructure like bus and cycle lanes and energy saving projects such as insulating homes and offices.

Investment is also required to generate more electricity and move this electricity around the country through a bigger electricity network to replace the oil trucks that today move oil and gas pipelines that today move gas.

The context for this investment is important because it is the additional cost over and above what we are spending already that matters.

Maintaining our current fossil fuel reliance costs about €10 billion per annum.

If this money is redirected to clean energy, then the additional investment required to move away from fossil fuels is between 1 per cent and 2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) per year.

While this is significant, it is manageable and does not consider worthwhile benefits such as more employment, better health from less pollution, or social benefits from healthier transport options.

While such a transition is possible with existing technologies and know-how today, it is important to be honest about the challenges.

Increased energy production in Ireland, means more energy infrastructure in terms of wind farms, solar farms, and electricity pylons to move power around.

This infrastructure will be considered ugly and unwelcome in many places and it will not always be easy to deliver but it is necessary for delivering more secure energy.

The challenge for Ireland is to work with communities to deliver infrastructure in an acceptable and agile manner.

In a world that is more geopolitically fragile and less energy secure, our reliance on fossil fuel leaves Ireland exposed to the actions of other nations and when we consider the abundant secure alternatives we have in Ireland, this reliance is starting to look increasingly reckless.