en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ireland's Net Zero Energy (NZE) has announced plans to develop a 600 MW Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) facility, named Rathrush Green Energy Park, near Rathoe in Co Carlow. The facility will utilize surplus renewable energy to produce green hydrogen for electricity generation.
The project, with a development cost of approximately €2 billion, is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 180,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to the road emissions of around 40,000 vehicles. It will utilize surplus renewable energy generated off-site—energy currently wasted due to insufficient demand during specific periods and limited grid absorption capacity. Excess wind and solar power will be used to produce green hydrogen, which will then be stored in deep underground lined rock caverns on site before being converted back into electricity. The converted electricity can be fed into the national grid, providing critical backup when needed, offering a timely solution to the intermittency of renewable energy compared to fossil fuel power generation.
NZE CEO Peter Harte commented that the project provides a significant and timely solution to the country's current urgent and complex energy challenges, both in terms of supply security and grid decarbonization. He further stated that by utilizing previously wasted energy, consumers can be shielded from future fossil fuel crises and price shocks, such as those following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and recent developments in the Middle East. The project offers a national solution, helping Ireland achieve energy independence while providing assurance and confidence for high-end electricity users seeking to establish operations in Ireland.
NZE Chairman Tim Cowhig stated that by dispatching 600 MW of renewable energy with a single command, the project could meet up to 10% of Ireland's peak electricity demand. Rathrush Green Energy Park provides large-scale, secure, and sustainable long-duration energy storage for the Irish grid. Cowhig noted that Ireland has never been in such a precarious position regarding energy security, spending €10 billion annually on imported fossil fuels. The project comes at a crucial time, amid widespread discussion and concern over Ireland's climate change targets and the substantial fines that could result from failing to meet them.
During peak construction, up to 1,500 workers will be on site, and once completed, the facility will create approximately 70 long-term, high-skilled jobs. The green energy storage capacity of Rathrush Green Energy Park will be 30 times that of Turlough Hill, and its power generation capacity seven times that of Ardnacrusha. Following a community consultation plan, the developer hopes to submit a planning application by the end of this year.
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