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.
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.
Ireland urges schools to avail of solar scheme before extended deadline
The Irish government is appealing to schools to apply for the second round of its solar for schools program before the March 7 deadline. More than 750 schools have been approved for funding in this phase to date.
Improving PV plant performance via optimized inverter loading ratio
Researchers in Ireland have proposed, for the first time, a deterministic approach for designing inverter loading ratio (ILR) in utility-scale PV projects. The novel methodology is claimed to simplify the design process and reduce performance variability, while enhancing investment certainty.
Pioneers in Irish solar energy
From modest beginnings in 2011, Power Capital Renewable Energy (PCRE) has become one of Ireland’s foremost independent power producers (IPPs). Joint CEO and co-founder Justin Brown told pv magazine that despite Ireland’s challenging environment for solar, the company sees a lot of opportunity and is taking full advantage.
Bord Gáis Energy acquires Swyft Energy
Bord Gáis Energy has acquired Irish solar installer Swyft Energy to expand its reach in Ireland’s residential, commercial, and agricultural PV markets.
Solar uptake driving Ireland’s retrofitting scheme progress, says SEAI
The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland’s (SEAI) statistics from the first nine months of 2024 show new applications for the Solar PV retrofit scheme are steadily increasing following a slump. However, this flurry of application activity may be influenced by an impending grant reduction effective from Jan. 1, 2025.
Eaton releases commercial, industrial BESS
Eaton says its new xStorage commercial and industrial battery energy storage system (BESS) offers storage capacities ranging from 250 kWh to 1,000 kWh, using lithium iron phosphate batteries with self-contained liquid cooling.
Irish utility Bord Gáis acquires solar installer Swyft
Bord Gáis has purchased County Cork, Ireland-based Swyft Energy for an undisclosed sum to help it meet its target of 10,000 solar PV installations over the next five years.
