Jonathon Wallace

🇮🇪🇮🇪Irish Offshore Wind has certainly had its ups and downs, but it feels likes it’s getting back on the right track. 🇮🇪🇮🇪 ✅ Long term decarbonisation strategy ✅ Focussing on long term demand (data centres, H2 etc) as well as boosting supply. ✅ Seizing the opportunity of being able to produce a huge surplus of clean energy in future (which is what the world will certainly need). ✅ Setting clear and credible targets (37GW by 2050) matched to demand growth (starting small and building as new demand builds) ✅ Creating predictability with the publication this week of the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy and the Designated Maritime Area Pland (DMAPs). 🗺️ It was great to share a stage with Minister Eamon Ryan this week and hear him recognise the need to do whatever is within our control to de-risk Offshore Wind and keep the Phase 1 Projects on track for the 2030 targets. 👍🏼 Thanks to Noel Cunniffe and Wind Energy Ireland for a great event. With our Sceirde Rocks Windfarm, Corio Generation is ready to play its part in hitting the 2030 target and realising the long term potential of offshore wind in Ireland.

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Register your place at a free webinar on the role of Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) in delivering a 100% decarbonised power system at 1:00 pm on Friday 6th December 2024. In this webinar, Peter Harte CEO of NetZero Energy and Bryan Murray of EirGrid will discuss Long Duration Energy Storage, a technology which involves the use of storing energy at times of excess renewable output, so that this energy can be used to generate power at a later point when there is insufficient renewable resource to meet demand. The ‘Electricity Storage Policy Framework’ published in July 2024 requires the System Operators, EirGrid and ESBN, to put in place procurement frameworks to deliver sufficient LDES on the system over the coming decade. This event will look at the role of LDES from both a developer perspective and a System Operator perspective. To register for this webinar visit: https://lnkd.in/d_7nQFYi Energy Environment & Climate Action #EngineersIreland #Energy EnvironmentandClimateActionDivision #Engineeering #NetZero #LongDurationEnergyStorage

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Ireland behind schedule to meet our 2030 low emissions target. The Government’s climate advisers have warned more solar usage and farms must be built urgently to meet the need for clean electricity. In a critical review published today, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) says no new planning permissions for renewable projects were granted for 12 months up to last September. While electricity generation from renewable sources increased slightly last year, the CCAC says, it remains “significantly below the annual increase needed to meet growing demand and simultaneously satisfy 2030 targets for emission reductions”. The CCAC is calling for new regulations to fast-track planning permission for onshore turbines and solar arrays. The electricity sector is the third largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland, after agriculture and transport. Its emissions come chiefly from ­fossil fuel-fired generating stations, one waste-to-energy facility, one natural gas production platform and one natural gas refinery. “The expansion in renewable electricity generation capacity is significantly outpaced by the growth in electricity demand, largely driven by data centres. “It will be increasingly difficult to remain within the carbon budgets [emissions restrictions] if data centres continue to be connected before the country has the renewable capacity to accommodate them.” Some data centres are seeking gas connections in order to generate their own electricity on site but while this would ease the demand for electricity from the national grid, it increases emissions. The CCAC calls for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) to be directed not to connect up any more data centres but it acknowledges that the law setting up GNI requires it to provide connections on request. “The Government should immediately align the legal mandate for all public bodies to have regard to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, particularly those operating in the energy sphere, such as the CRU, EirGrid, ESB Networks and Gas Networks Ireland,” it said. CCAC chairwoman Marie Donnelly said the review was a stark reminder of the critical actions needed to ensure that the electricity sector reduced its emissions while catering for a growing demand. Peak-time surges in demand mean all available generators are brought into full production, including Moneypoint and the oil-fired plants which are the most polluting. While 1.6 million households have smart meters but the CCAC says just 330,000 are making use of them to switch to smart tariffs that incentivise off-peak use. The take-up rate must be increased, it says. Similarly, large energy-using businesses must be better incentivised to shift power usage to off-peak periods.

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So, An Bord Pleanála approved only 25% of the wind energy capacity needed to meet Ireland's climate targets in the first half of 2023, according to Wind Energy Ireland with 30 projects still awaiting decisions. Approvals: Only 228MW of wind projects approved, far below the 860MW needed to stay on track for 2030 targets. Pending Decisions: 30 projects (1,766MW) still awaiting decisions. Still waiting decisions? Rejections: 459MW worth of projects were rejected in the first half of the year. Persistent backlog and lengthy delays in planning decisions are causing major problems for the whole country and some local authorities are changing land zoning to block wind farm developments. Why are we not working together? We need to reduce decision-making times, and a government taskforce must prioritize fixing the planning system to expedite renewable energy projects. "To provide the clean, affordable, and secure energy that Irish families, businesses, and communities need, we must streamline the planning process and accelerate the development of wind farms," says Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland. #RenewableEnergy #WindEnergy #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Ireland #EnergyInfrastructure #GreenEnergy #PlanningSystem https://lnkd.in/eVPG9F2E

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The planned sale of the Greenlink electricity interconnector between Wexford and Wales, dubbed "Project Guinness." This 190km-long interconnector is poised to revolutionize our energy landscape and bring substantial benefits to both Ireland and the UK. Key Highlights: 1)Revenue Potential: Expected to generate between €90m and €100m annually. 2)Investment Opportunity: UBS is marketing the project, which could fetch up to €1bn. 3)Ownership: Owned by Partners Group, a Swiss private equity firm managing about $150bn (€140bn) in assets. 4)Earnings Projection: Anticipated Ebitda of €70m to €80m per year. 5)Strategic Importance: Recognized as an EU Project of Common Interest, underlining its significance in Europe's energy infrastructure. Project Benefits: - First of its Kind: The first privately financed electricity interconnector in Europe. - Financial Backing: Supported by eight banks, including AIB, and part-funded by the EU Connecting Europe Facility. - Cost: Constructed at a cost of approximately €500m. - Employment and Energy Security: Promises significant benefits, including job creation and enhanced energy security. - Network Integration: Links Ireland to a broader network, connecting to the EU and Nordic electricity markets. - Capacity Boost: Will double the interconnection capacity between Ireland and Britain, contributing to national interconnection targets. - Electricity Bills: Expected to put downward pressure on electricity costs. Development and Future Plans: - Commissioning: On track for commissioning as early as September, with system testing underway this summer. -Contracts: Supported by 22.5 and 25-year twin cap-and-floor contracts from the UK and Ireland, providing revenue stability. -Engineering: The EPC contract awarded to a consortium including Siemens Energy and Sumitomo Electric. Further Expansion: Construction of another interconnector between Ireland and France is ongoing, enhancing connectivity with mainland Europe. It is being developed by EirGrid Group and its French equivalent, Réseau de Transport d'Électricité de Transport d’Electricite, and is expected to cost €1.6bn. The Greenlink project exemplifies the innovative steps we are taking towards a sustainable and interconnected energy future. #RenewableEnergy #Greenlink #ProjectGuinness #EnergyInfrastructure #Sustainability #Ireland #UK #CleanEnergy #Investment #EnergySecurity #EUProjects #SiemensEnergy #SumitomoElectric

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Ireland has a strong pipeline of wind energy projects and our wind energy industry is ready to deliver on them ⚡ As well as building new wind farms, we need to be able to repower our existing wind farms that will reach the end of their planning permission between now and 2030. New research conducted by MKO shows that up to 76 wind farms will reach the end of their planning permission between now and 2030. This would mean the loss of approximately 20 per cent of the country’s installed wind energy capacity, make the Climate Action Plan targets essentially unachievable and increase Ireland’s reliance on energy imports. We need to make it easier for wind farm owners to extend the duration of their planning permissions and, in the Government’s new wind energy guidelines to be published before the end of the year, ensure the same challenge does not arise in future. #Ireland #WindEnergy #PoweredbyNature https://lnkd.in/eJU7VtxP

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Ireland’s Carbon Emissions- The carbon intensity of electricity generated here is actually 20% above the EU average according to today’s report. Also interesting to note that despite the tremendous availability of natural renewable energy resources here in Ireland – last year we imported 10% of our electricity from the UK.! #energytransition #netzero #greenenergy ETC Energy Transition Consultants SPEF

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SSE Renewables has acquired the 120 MW Thornsberry battery project – located near Tullamore in County Offaly in Ireland – from renewable energy company Low Carbon. Low Carbon began developing the project in 2018. The project is on a “secured greenfield site” with planning consent for an installed capacity of 120 MW and a grid connection offer to connect to the Irish national grid via an existing 110kV substation, a Low Carbon statement said. Once built, the project could power more than 115,000 homes for up to two hours at times of peak demand, the statement added. Roy Bedlow (pictured, right), founder and chief executive of Low Carbon, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with SSE on this project, which underscores Low Carbon’s leading position in the Irish storage market. Furthermore, this announcement demonstrates our expertise of delivering high-quality investable assets to the market, meanwhile playing an important role in supporting our future growth as we aim to build 20 GW of new renewable energy.” Heather Donald (pictured, left), director of onshore wind, solar and battery – UK and Ireland, SSE Renewables, added: “Acquiring the consented Thornsberry project in County Offaly is another great step forward in our plans to grow SSE Renewables’ battery storage development portfolio in Ireland. The addition of this grid-scale project can make an important contribution to the delivery of SSE’s fully funded five-year Net Zero Acceleration Programme, while also advancing the diversity of the technologies in our portfolio. The Midlands has a long and proud tradition of supporting Ireland’s energy security. With the development of new onshore wind, solar and battery projects such as Thornsberry, the region can continue to play a significant role in delivering homegrown energy for Irish consumers.” Last month Low Carbon sold a 6GW portfolio of energy storage projects in the Netherlands to Dutch developer S4 Energy. #energystorage #batterystorage #ireland #renewableenergy

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GridBeyond’s recent €11.25 million investment marks a significant step forward in the energy sector. Their focus on Behind-the-Meter (BTM) battery storage systems in the UK and Ireland will enhance energy reliability and integrate more renewable energy sources into the grid. With new projects totaling 8 MWh capacity, GridBeyond is transforming energy management for industrial and commercial clients. At Astute, we help businesses navigate this transition toward a more sustainable future. Read more in the link below👇 or message me to explore how Astute can support your energy goals. https://lnkd.in/ebtppXQy #astute #energytransition #nuclear

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Renewable energy is key to Ireland's economic future but onshore wind developments can take up to 10 years to become operational here, from planning to grid connection and construction Read Kieran White from Ørsted's opinion piece in today's The Irish Times on the obstacles facing the the industry and the need for efficient processes in planning and grid access for Ireland to remain competitive. #renewables #windenergy #climatetargets

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SP Energy Networks plans to double its transmission workforce, creating 1,400 new directly employed jobs and supporting another 11,000 in the supply chain. “Making this crucial investment now will drive a positive impact that will help to stabilise and lower consumer energy bills in the longer term,” said SP Energy Networks chief executive Nicola Connelly. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e6W_-9XD ScottishPower

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🤝 Swyft Energy Acquired by Bord Gáis Energy to Drive Solar Expansion in Ireland 🤝 We are immensely proud to announce that Swyft Energy has been acquired by Bord Gáis Energy, a significant milestone in our journey to power Ireland’s transition to renewable energy. This acquisition enhances both Bord Gáis Energy's and the wider Centrica team's solar PV capabilities across residential, commercial, and agricultural sectors, with a shared goal of completing 10,000 installations over the next five years. With Swyft Energy’s digital-first platform and deep industry expertise now integrated with Bord Gáis Energy’s resources and established market reach, this next chapter will significantly expand access to solar solutions nationwide. Our combined strengths will enable substantial savings for customers, who could see up to 70% reductions in electricity costs, with investments typically recovered within 5–7 years and even sooner in the commercial and agricultural sectors. This acquisition aligns with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan objective of 8 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030, and it reinforces Bord Gáis Energy’s long-term strategy to achieve net zero by 2045. Together, we are committed to delivering cleaner, greener energy solutions to our customers and contributing meaningfully to a sustainable future. Thank you to our valued customers and partners for your continued support. We look forward to the next phase of growth and innovation as part of Bord Gáis Energy. #SwyftEnergy #BordGaisEnergy #Centrica #Aquisition #SolarPV #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #ClimateAction 

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System Amber Alert Issued by SEMO for Northern Ireland just after 1400 today 5th Aug 2024 due to combination of; - low wind generation in NI - lack of sufficient dispatchable back-up generation locally due to outages and; - grid infrastructure constraints #eng4climate

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reNEWS - Renewable Energy News Ireland Report 2024 is available to download from 18th July 2024. Data Structures | Experts in Elevated Engineering since 1998 are delighted with our feature (page 5). #lidar #metmasts #windmeasurement

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This month, Arklow Bank offshore wind farm in the Republic of Ireland will mark two decades as Ireland's first and still only offshore wind farm. But work is underway to deliver its follow-up. This morning, SSE plc revealed it has applied for planning consent for the up-to-800MW Arklow Bank 2 offshore wind project in the Irish Sea. The utility is seeking consent from Irish planning authority An Bord Pleanála for consent for the offshore infrastructure for the 56-turbine project, which is planned off the coasts of Wicklow and North Wexford. The submission comes after seven years of development work, and follows the first Arklow Bank scheme, which has headline capacity of 25MW and was commissioned in 2004. If Arklow Bank 2 secures planning consent and a final investment decision, SSE is looking to start construction in 2026 and first power generation in 2029. The company said the scheme could deliver overall economic benefits of €800m to Ireland, including €400m in the Wicklow and Wexford region. James O'Hara (pictured), Arklow Bank project director at SSE Renewables, said: "Now, we’re pleased to announce we’re submitting what we believe is a robust and compelling planning application to deliver a world class renewable energy asset at Arklow Bank using the very latest offshore technology that can generate the additional green energy Ireland needs to meet 2030 renewable energy targets in a sustainable and environmentally sensitive manner." https://lnkd.in/e-zuw_Wp #offshorewind #Ireland #SSE #planningapplication A Word About Wind | Energy Storage Report | Tamarindo

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Ireland utility-scale energy storage forecast to exceed 1.5GWh in 2025 The energy storage market in Ireland continues to show strong growth potential. While still in the early stages of site construction, new additions are now providing a strong uptick in activity. Year-on-year additional capacity built this year remains at a steady rate; 720MWh of energy storage was operational at the end of 2023 and cumulative operational capacity is predicted to reach over 1.7GWh by the end of 2025. Read our full article here - https://lnkd.in/eJNKgvAM #Irelandstorage #energystorage #batterystorage Analysis by our Market Analyst, Charlotte Gisbourne

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