ESB plans renewable energy centres at midland sites

• Shannonbridge and Lanesborough sites to include synchronous condensers and energy storage capabilities

• ESB confirms transfer of €5m to Just Transition fund and exploring development of part of the midland sites for use by community groups

The ESB has announced that it is “developing plans to use cutting-edge technologies at its midland sites in Lanesborough and Shannonbridge to facilitate ever-more renewable electricity on Ireland’s grid and, in turn, help the country achieve its climate goals by 2030”.

Though the large industrial power stations will be demolished in line with its planning obligations, the company is exploring how other buildings on the sites could be handed over for use by community groups, it said in a statement this morning.

Following the closure of the stations, ESB engineering teams engaged with the Just Transition Commissioner and county councils to consider alternative uses for the existing plant and equipment.

Having considered commercial and climate action realities in particular, no viable solution was found to re-purpose the plants – however, ESB can confirm that, following a comprehensive feasibility study in recent months, the sites at Shannonbridge and Lanesborough have the potential for providing energy services which would facilitate the growth in renewable generation.

This position was validated by an external engineering consultancy.

In this context, ESB is currently developing planning applications for both station sites as renewable energy centres, in anticipation of future competitive tenders to be held by EirGrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

The proposed technology includes synchronous condensers and energy storage capabilities at both locations.

Detailed environmental assessments will be carried out in support of those applications.

Should these applications be successful, ESB’s plans would then enable the company to successfully develop these sites within the appropriate regulatory, environmental and planning timelines.

ESB remains committed to the midlands through the development of these projects, its €5m contribution to the Just Transition fund and its Networks operations which employ some 400 engineers, technicians and office workers in the region, as well as its National Training Centre for Network Technicians in Portlaoise.