Strategic Power projects 'delighted and encouraged' by planning grant for €140 million Dunnstown renewable development

Strategic Power Projects has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanàla to grant planning permission to the company’s proposed battery storage facility at Dunnstown, County Kildare. The new €140 Million proposed facility is the single largest battery application in Ireland, and is over 200 MW in capacity.

Speaking after permission was granted, Strategic Power Projects’ Managing Director Paul Carson said,

“We are delighted and encouraged by the positive outcome to the planning process which will offer the people of Ireland much needed renewable energy storage as the country works hard to reach the 80% renewable energy target by the end of the decade. This is a national significant development.  Security of supply and electricity blackouts have sadly become predictable headlines in Irish news titles, north and south. Battery-based energy storage is part of the solution.  It can be quickly developed, is very cost effective and is the backbone of modern, resilient, and decarbonised energy systems.” 

He added,

“This decision is a clear indication that the Climate Action Plan is now having a direct impact on planning policy, and practical decision making. Ireland has made enormous strides over recent years in the development of wind and solar energy, but there needs to be similar action taken to ensure that we have enough energy storage capacity to make efficient use of the renewable energy we produce, and to balance the grid as it takes on more and more renewable energy. The Dunnstown facility won’t solve Ireland’s storage problems on its own, but if the positive decision is a sign of things to come, then that is very positive news for the people of Ireland.” 

Gresham House is the single largest battery operator in the UK.  Last year they announced their partnership with Strategic Power Projects to develop a solar and storage pipeline with a combined capacity of over 1GW. Building work will begin as soon as connection to the grid has been achieved.

Welcoming the announcement, Bobby Smith of Energy Storage Ireland said…..

“Energy storage helps ensure a safe, secure, supply of electricity for homes, businesses and farms across Ireland and Northern Ireland. We cannot fully decarbonise our energy supply until we stop using fossil-fuels to back-up our electricity system and rely instead on projects like Dunnstown.

“The invasion of Ukraine and our dependency on imported fossil-fuels means electricity consumers have seen dizzying increases in their bills and the worst may yet be to come. Energy storage allows us to fully harness our renewable energy resources and replace expensive, polluting, fossil fuels.”