The Irish government has recognised the need to deploy Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) on the Irish power system over the coming decade and published its ‘Electricity Storage Policy Framework’ in July 2024. This policy requires the System Operators, EirGrid and ESBN, to put in place procurement frameworks to deliver sufficient LDES on the system over the coming decade.

Net Zero Energy (NZE) has a flagship project in the shape of Rathrush Green Energy Park which can be a part of the missing link to drive us beyond 80% by 2030 and towards 100% by 2035. By making available 600MW of renewable energy at the flick of a switch to a grid which, at the time of project delivery, will peak at around 7,000MW, Rathrush Green Energy Park provides significant, secure and green long duration storage for the Irish grid. NZE believes that if each fossil fuel plant was replaced by a project like Rathrush Green Energy Park, our ambition of achieving 100% net zero by 2035 could be achieved.

The Irish Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has proposed allowing data centres to build fossil-fuel gas generation as a condition of securing grid connection. By the time these sites are fully developed, there will be no available carbon budget to allow them to operate. NZE believes that LDES provides a viable, credible and secure alternative to discontinue this approach to strive for a greener and ultimately, net zero future. Moreover, there is a sense of urgency for green hydrogen to achieve the European Green Deal and realise Europe’s clean energy transition.

The EU ambition is to install at least 40 gigawatts (GW) of renewable hydrogen electrolysers by 2030, producing up to 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen.