Taoiseach says Offaly energy project is 'what we need' at this critical time
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has praised the new energy project launched in Shannonbridge by Offaly's Lumcloon Energy in association with a Korean company.
“I am delighted that this highly innovative project will be constructed here in Ireland, by Lumcloon Energy and its Korean partner, Hanwha Energy,” said Mr Martin.
“In recent months the very real impacts of climate change, Russia’s immoral war on Ukraine and the collective European response have demonstrated the need to make urgent progress on the move away from fossil fuels.
“This project exemplifies the type of infrastructure that we need to aid the decarbonisation of our electricity sector and support security of supply at this critical time.”
Mr Martin will turn the first sod on the world’s first utility scale combined grid stability project in Shannonbridge this morning.
He said the Government is currently fully focused and committed to addressing both immediate needs and future sustainability of electricity supplies to homes and businesses alike.
READ: Offaly project will create 150 construction jobs
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Offaly Senator Pippa Hackett, welcomed An Taoiseach to Offaly and said: “I am delighted to be here today in Shannonbridge for this sod turning by my Government colleague, Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Taoiseach, you are very welcome, once again, to this wonderful county.”
“Offaly, as you can see here this morning, has so much to offer, and is at the forefront of a sustainable energy future for Ireland. For so many decades, power generation has been part of the community here, sustaining many families over the years.
“As the world continues to evolve and adapt, so too does Offaly; and today represents yet another shift in how our energy system will work into the future – and further supporting renewables represents one more step in the right direction.
“The batteries which will be on this site were originally commissioned to provide electricity support services when the wind power was high in order to stabilise voltage on the grid - I am delighted to hear that they will also be helping to contribute to reserve power when the wind is low.
“In the coming months and years we will need many more battery energy storage systems in Ireland. This will allow more renewables onto the system, will increase the percentage of renewable energy we can use at any one time, and will enable us to achieve our target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.
“I am very aware that the cost of living crisis is currently affecting the lives of many people across the country – and while few short term fixes on the energy side exist, continued investment in renewables will offer us more security in the medium to long term.”
When completed, the new ‘Shannonbridge B’ grid stability plant will provide an additional 170 MWh of hybrid capacity to the national electricity grid.
The €130m project will involve approximately 150 jobs over a two-year construction phase and support 15 jobs on completion.
Developed by Lumcloon Energy (Ireland) and Hanwha Energy (Korea), the new hybrid facility will, for the first time, combine a long duration battery with a synchronous condenser, to more efficiently meet the changing needs of the power system as the level of renewables (wind and solar) increases.
Batteries can deliver very rapid frequency response, reserve and ramping services, while synchronous condensers provide low carbon inertia, all of which are required to react to any sudden loss in electricity supply or surge in demand.