Gorman BESS will support system services in Ireland for six years

• Iberdrola’s 50MW Gorman Battery Energy Storage System is now operational in County Meath, Ireland – the company’s first operational commercial-scale battery storage system anywhere in the world
• Providing system services to EirGrid for six years, it’s the largest of the DS3 Capped System Services projects to get up and running following auction in 2019
• The 50MW capacity is achieved by more than 4,000 battery modules spread across 16 battery containers on site

Iberdrola, the world leader in renewable energy, has powered up its first commercial-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the east of Ireland.

The 50MW Gorman BESS in County Meath will provide system services to EirGrid for six years – contributing to the security and sustainability of the electricity network in Ireland – following success in the DS3 Capped System Services Contract auction in 2019.

Helping balance supply and demand and ensuring additional green electricity is available when needed, the battery is made up of more than 4,000 battery modules spread across 16 battery containers on a site the size of a football pitch.

Representing overall investment of €28 million, the Gorman battery project marks a number of firsts for Iberdrola:

• First operational commercial-scale battery anywhere in the world
• First battery project in Ireland
• First renewables construction project in Ireland for more than 25 years.

Across Ireland, Iberdrola is also constructing a smaller 3MW BESS, which is nearing completion at Barnesmore windfarm in County Donegal, with pre-construction activities also progressing on the consented repowering of Barnesmore windfarm, and the expansion of the Gorman BESS to double its capacity to 100MW.

Planning is also underway to deliver three offshore wind projects (Clarus, Shelamere and Inis Ealga Marine Energy) with a total potential capacity of 3GW – enough green electricity to power the equivalent of more than 2.8 million homes – in partnership with DP Energy.

Charlie Jordan, CEO for UK and Ireland, said: “This is a major milestone not just for Iberdrola in Ireland, but for Iberdrola globally, with the powering up of our first-ever operational battery project of this size and scale. It’s absolutely fantastic.

“Ireland has set out major ambitions to halve emissions by the end of this decade and achieve net zero by no later than 2050, so investing in the infrastructure needed to help turn that vision into reality is vital if progress is to stay on track – and we’re proud to be part of that journey.

“That means new green generation – both onshore and offshore – supported by innovative technology like our Gorman Battery Energy Storage System, which will support the stability and reliability of the network and ensure that clean energy is available when it’s needed. And we’re working hard to deliver on all these fronts.

“It’s great to see Gorman up and running, and doing its bit to support a greener future for Ireland, and there’s much more to come.”