Energy Storage Ireland has called on EirGrid to deliver the Government’s 500MW energy storage target by 2030.
Responding to the consultation on the long-duration energy storage procurement mechanism, the representative body welcomed progress but said the sector needs greater ambition, clarity and design improvements.
The consultation is being developed to build capacity by 2030 in line with the electricity storage policy framework, according to ESI.
Pat Lambert, policy analyst at Energy Storage Ireland, said, “Long-duration storage is essential for reducing renewable curtailment and maintaining system stability. It’s also key to delivering energy security and independence, enabling higher renewable penetration on the grid, and meeting Ireland’s 2030 climate targets. Ultimately, increased energy storage is great news for hard-pressed consumers who are in urgent need of lower energy prices, as it will ensure a more efficient, flexible system and help shift Ireland away from reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels.”
Bobby Smith, CEO of Energy Storage Ireland, stated, “I want to welcome the long-awaited consultation, but this is only a starting point, as the Government continues to expand its ambition for long-duration energy storage. The Government has said it wants to ramp up long-duration energy storage significantly, yet the proposed minimum procurement of 201 MW is still well below its 2030 goal of 500 MW. ESI is calling for more ambition in this round and a clear path toward delivering the full 500 MW. We’re also concerned that the suggested 10-year contract length doesn’t match what’s offered in similar schemes internationally. To ensure the best value for consumers and investors, we recommend increasing this to at least 15 years.”
Bobby added, “If we can ensure an ambitious and robust LDES procurement mechanism, we will ensure we capture as much renewable energy as possible and deliver it to the grid in time to power our homes and businesses with clean, affordable renewable energy. ESI wants to ensure Irish consumers get value for money. It’s time we get off expensive fossil fuels and increase our energy security through storage.”