Irish and UK grids linked via 500 MW subsea HVDC cable
The Greenlink Interconnector comprises two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables reaching across the Irish Sea connecting the grids of Ireland and the United Kingdom at the Great Island substation in County Wexford and Pembroke substation in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Powering the AI revolution
Developers from the renewable energy and data center markets are working to find common ground to meet surging energy demand fueled by the artificial intelligence boom.
Are robots coming for solar installer jobs?
Robots on solar sites are not new; they have been deployed to automate everything from operations and maintenance to inspection and cleaning. In recent months, there has been an uptick in interest in robots for installation, particularly among utility-scale solar developers dealing with staff shortages, safety concerns, rising costs, and pressure to build.
LNG developer secures 600 MW power plant, 120 MW BESS in Ireland
Developer Shannon LNG has obtained permission from the Irish planning authorities for a 600 MW regasification unit and a 120 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in County Kerry. It is unclear when the plant will be built. Renewable energy advocates and opposition politicians are calling on the state to overturn the permit, citing Shannon LNG’s separate plans to construct a controversial LNG terminal near the gas plant.
Northern Ireland doubles solar curtailment in 2024
Northern Ireland turned down 16.9% of its solar in 2024, up from 7.9% in 2023.
Philippines issues terms for renewables auction with storage
Pairing solar plants with battery energy storage systems (BESS) will be the main strategic focus for the country’s upcoming renewable energy auction. Each project must have a minimum storage duration of four hours to ensure sufficient grid support and energy reliability.
Ireland has more than 500 MW of distributed solar
According to data from a newly launched tracker tool by Kilowatt.ie for small-scale solar in Ireland, capacity has grown from 20 MW in 2019 to 500 MW currently. Growth has surged since 2022, thanks to policy changes.
Energy storage system powered by forest waste retains 60% capacity after 10,000 cycles
Researchers in Spain used electrodes derived from wood biomass discarded by sawmills as waste to create a hybrid system combining batteries and supercapacitors.
Nigeria launches O&M tender for hybrid solar plants
Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REAN) has issued a tender for companies to provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services for seven hybrid solar plants at educational institutions, totaling 32 MW of PV capacity.
EU solar manufacturing needs private capital to build factories
The new Clean Industrial Deal provides a “specific boost” for European solar manufacturing, but a lack of financing and storage to support grids will continue to hold back deployment unless addressed.
