Battery storage project planned near Tullamore

A BATTERY storage system for the national grid could yet be located near Tullamore.

Grid System Services Ltd is applying for an extension to planning permission granted nearly five years ago for the complex on a site of more than two acres in a field at Derrynagall/Ballydaly which is close to the Tinnycross Road.

The facility planned by the company is designed to store electricity for release to the grid when supplies are low, for example during periods of low wind.

There is an ESB substation in the vicinity of the proposed Thornsberry Energy Storage System which will have 10 containerised battery storage modules.

Permission was first granted by Offaly County Council in August 2018 but no development has taken place and an extension was sought on June 7. A decision is due by August 1.

On the original application the directors of Grid System Services Ltd were named as Pat Blount, Grainne Blount and Niall McCoy, with a company address at Glen Erin, Caulstown, Dunboyne, Co Meath.

Conor McAllister, Meridiem Renewables Ltd, was the agent for the applicant and the landowner was listed as Mark Lambe, Tinnycross.