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Future of Energy

“Long-duration energy storage is no longer a future requirement but an immediate necessity.” Kevin O’Donovan, Senior Vice President, Statkraft Page 05

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Building a cleaner, more secure energy future Ireland is accelerating renewables, strengthening its electricity network and expanding European interconnection to build a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy system.

he lasting way out of fossil fuel dependency and high energy costs is to shift electricity generation to renewable sources, electrify our economy rapidly and strengthen interconnection with Europe. This Government is making progress across all three areas.

Strengthening the grid and European connections Minister Darragh O’Brien Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

We are prioritising renewable electricity and reforming our planning to make clean energy projects easier to deliver. Under Price Review 6, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) approved up to €18.9 billion of investment in the electricity system by EirGrid and ESB Networks. We already have interconnectors with Britain, and construction is underway on the Celtic Interconnector to France, which is due to be commissioned in 2028.

Renewable generation gathers pace Ireland now regularly generates 40–50% of its electricity from renewables. The challenging, achievable target is 80%. Since 2015, renewable electricity’s share has more than doubled, rising from 19% to over 40% in 2025. In March, Ireland reached 8 GW of renewable generation connected to the electricity system, including more than 5 GW of onshore wind. When wind generation is high, average wholesale electricity prices can fall significantly; strong

Powering homes and strengthening energy security A rooftop solar revolution is underway. More than 120,000 homes have received Solar PV grants, and funding for the scheme will remain in place for the lifetime of this Government, up to 2030. Free solar panels have also been provided to 2,000 schools. Through microgeneration, households can sell excess electricity back to the grid. The affordability challenges of recent years demonstrate why we must accelerate the transition. Every megawatt of renewable electricity reduces our dependence on imported fossil fuels, strengthens our energy security and helps create a more stable energy system. My ambition is clear: a cleaner, more secure and more affordable energy future for Ireland. By investing in renewables, strengthening our grid, electrifying our economy and connecting with Europe, we can build an energy system that works for households, businesses and future generations.

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How to turn energy challenges into business opportunities

output in February and March helped reduce the impact of wholesale price increases. Solar is also transforming the system. Ireland’s capacity rose from just 2 MW in 2015 to 3 GW by August, more than a thousandfold increase. Solar is now the third-largest source of indigenously generated electricity supplied to the national grid.

Unlock new value from energy assets you already own.

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Powering up Ireland’s electricity grid for a clean energy future Cathal Marley, Chief Executive of EirGrid, outlines how strategic investment in grid infrastructure will power secure, clean and affordable electricity and strengthen Ireland’s energy security.

M Cathal Marley Chief Executive, EirGrid

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from an existing grid connection is a megawatt that does not require years of waiting for new infrastructure before it can contribute to lower emissions, greater energy security and more stable electricity prices.

Every megawatt of renewable electricity that can be generated from an existing grid connection is a megawatt that does not require years of waiting. Removing barriers to sharing the grid If the Government is serious about accelerating renewable deployment, it should also remove the barriers preventing developers from combining wind, solar and battery storage behind existing and new grid connections. Doing so would require little or no additional public spending. It would make better use of existing infrastructure. It would unlock clean electricity years sooner than waiting for new grid capacity alone. Ireland cannot afford to leave renewable energy sitting on the sidelines because of rules designed for a different era. The infrastructure we have can do more. We should let it.

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Ireland lost 15% of its cheapest electricity to grid constraints This year, Ireland lost 15% of our most affordable electricity because our grid was not strong enough to carry all the power generated by wind farms to Irish homes and businesses.

ore expensive gas generation, powered primarily by imported fuel, was brought on to make up the shortfall. Consequently, consumers end up paying more for dirtier energy. Every unit of renewable electricity lost is a missed opportunity to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels and lower electricity costs for Irish households and businesses.

Volatile gas markets Accelerating investment in the electricity grid, energy storage and other enabling technologies is crucial. The more renewable power we can use when it is available, the less exposed Ireland will be to volatile international gas markets. This is not just an investment challenge. A focus on public engagement, clear communications and tackling misinformation will be essential to maintaining and building broad, popular support for the infrastructure required for energy independence. The long-term solution is investment in Ireland’s electricity network. We welcome the work already underway by EirGrid and

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ESB Networks to strengthen the grid and prepare it for a more electrified future. Ensuring they have continued public and political support will be key to delivering the infrastructure needed to power Ireland’s future.

Solutions for today New infrastructure cannot be built overnight. We need solutions that can make a difference today. We should use every tool available now to make better use of the electricity network we already have. Wind farms are still not allowed to store power in batteries on the same site. Instead of storing excess renewable electricity, they must switch off. At the same time, technologies that can increase the capacity of existing power lines are only beginning to be deployed. These are not necessarily easy fixes, but they can be done much more quickly than new power lines can be built. Ireland has a world-class wind resource. With the right investment, we can turn more of that renewable energy into more affordable, secure and clean electricity to power homes and businesses across the country.

Justin Moran Director of External Affairs, Wind Energy Ireland

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Long-duration energy storage required to meet Ireland’s renewables ambition

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Ireland has set itself the task of reaching 80% renewable electricity by 2030. This ambitious target is essential to reducing emissions, strengthening energy security and protecting consumers from volatile fossil fuel prices.

gap remains between Ireland’s ambition and the infrastructure needed to deliver it. One of the most significant elements in bridging that gap is long-duration energy storage (LDES).

Kevin O’Donovan Senior Vice President, Statkraft

Strategy to meet storage targets

History has shown it can take time to establish and run auctions. If EirGrid are not ambitious enough in terms of volume for the first round, the risk that Ireland deviates even further on climate targets increases, and our ability to Role and benefits of long-duration energy storage integrate high levels of renewables on the grid in an efficient, Discussions about the energy transition often focus on secure and stable manner is jeopardised. building wind and solar farms and electricity networks. Statkraft believes that the target volume for the first These developments remain procurement round should be crucial, but as renewable 1GW, with an additional 1GW generation increases, the in the second round. Storage challenge is no longer projects can take years to LDES allows Ireland to capture producing clean electricity. We develop, finance and construct. renewable electricity and make it must also ensure that it can be Decisions made today will used when consumers need it. determine whether Ireland available when demand rises. LDES such as battery storage has sufficient flexibility in the are highly flexible assets and early 2030s, when renewable add significant value to an penetration is expected to be at islanded grid network operating its highest. Restricting volumes on high levels of renewables. LDES can store electricity now risks creating a bottleneck that could undermine our during periods of high generation and release it when output wider energy ambitions. falls, matching consumer demand. It can also reduce the curtailment of renewable energy, improve grid stability, Policy frameworks to support long-term deployment strengthen security of supply and enable much higher levels Frameworks such as RESS and DS3 helped establish the of integration of renewables. LDES is not an optional add-on; country as a leader in renewable system integration, it will be a keystone to Ireland’s ability to achieve its climate attracting substantial interest in storage technologies. When goals. policymakers provide long-term certainty and credible market signals, investors respond. Reducing renewable energy waste Government, regulators and system operators should Ireland has an advantage because of its wind resources. establish a clear route to market with more ambitious scale Yet, increasing volumes of renewable electricity are being and volume, provide visibility and certainty on future constrained or curtailed because the system lacks the procurement and develop a long-term deployment roadmap flexibility to absorb and use the power being generated. extending beyond the first auction. The success of RESS Every unit of renewable electricity that cannot be used is demonstrates the value of consistency, transparency and wasted and lost value for consumers. forward planning. Storage requires the same treatment. LDES allows Ireland to capture renewable electricity and make it available when demand rises. This means more Necessity for long-duration energy storage now renewables on the system, lower emissions and more Statkraft has extensive experience developing and operating efficient use of infrastructure. storage and flexibility assets. It recently delivered Ireland’s Because of its strategic importance, plans need to reflect first four-hour battery project and is constructing four the ambition required. Industry understands that the first synchronous condenser projects across the island to help proposed the first proposed LDES auction being run by strengthen power system stability. the Transmission System Operator (EirGrid) to target 201Industry is ready, capital is available, and the technology 300MW but remain hopeful that this will increase. While is capable. What is needed now is a procurement framework it is a welcome first step, it should, at the very least, align and policy environment that matches Ireland’s future with the Government’s own Electricity Storage Policy needs. Long-duration energy storage is no longer a future Framework guide volume of 500MW.” requirement but an immediate necessity.

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Organisations that treat energy as a long-term business asset rather than a short-term operating cost will be better positioned to manage volatility. Photo: Power Capital Renewable Energy

Energy certainty is now a boardroom issue for Ireland’s largest energy users Ireland’s renewable energy sector has made remarkable progress over the last decade. Alongside corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) and battery storage, Ireland’s largest energy users can secure cost certainty, reduce emissions and support economic growth.

S Caolan Duffy Chief Commercial Officer, Power Capital Renewable Energy

olar, wind and energy storage are moving from emerging technologies to critical infrastructure, helping to strengthen energy security, support climate ambitions and create new opportunities for businesses across the country. Yet, for Ireland’s largest energy users, the conversation has moved beyond sustainability alone. Energy is now a commercial risk, a competitiveness issue and a boardroom priority. Businesses are asking whether they can secure the electricity they need, whether they can manage long-term cost exposure and whether their energy strategy will support growth rather than constrain it.

Growth alongside renewable energy certainty For data centres, advanced manufacturers, life sciences facilities, food producers and other energy-intensive industries, access to reliable and competitively priced electricity is increasingly central to investment decisions. These organisations operate in an environment shaped by rising demand, volatile wholesale markets, more stringent reporting obligations and pressure to reduce emissions (and growing scrutiny of Scope 2 emissions in particular) without compromising performance. The challenge is no longer how Ireland builds more renewable generation; it is how businesses lock in energy certainty in a way that protects margins, supports expansion and reduces carbon exposure. Delivering economic growth, energy security and sustainability together will take more than new capacity; it demands sustained investment in the grid reinforcement, storage and flexible systems that turn generation into reliable supply. That is where the opportunity becomes commercially significant.

Energy procurement is becoming a strategic discipline The organisations that treat energy as a long-term business asset rather than a short-term operating cost will be better positioned to manage volatility, meet customer and investor expectations and plan future growth with confidence. Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), dedicated renewable generation, battery storage and integrated energy solutions are becoming practical tools for businesses that need greater control over their energy future.

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A corporate PPA, for example, can fix a large user’s power price for 10 to 15 years, converting a volatile operating cost into a predictable, budgetable one. These models can help large energy users improve budget certainty, reduce exposure to market volatility, demonstrate credible decarbonisation progress and support the development of new renewable infrastructure.

Powering long-term competitiveness At Power Capital Renewable Energy, we see first-hand how business energy requirements are evolving. Large energy users are increasingly looking for partners who understand demand profiles, commercial risk, grid constraints, sustainability commitments and the need for solutions that are bankable, deliverable and aligned with long-term operating plans. Caolan Duffy, Chief Commercial Officer, says: “Having partnered with corporate offtakers to deliver over 230MW of new renewable capacity to date, Power Capital is actively supporting organisations to meet their energy requirements in a competitive, long-term fashion whilst decarbonising Ireland’s energy system.”

National renewable energy opportunity With strong renewable resources, a growing solar sector, increasing battery storage deployment and a national ambition to attract high-value investment, Ireland can position energy infrastructure as a competitive advantage. However, that advantage will only be realised if renewable generation is connected to the real needs of businesses that require scale, reliability and certainty. Realising it will require the enabling reforms only Government can deliver — faster grid connections and a more predictable planning and permitting regime — so that consented projects can reach large users at the pace the economy needs. For large energy users, the real question is no longer whether renewable energy should form part of their strategy, but how quickly they can move from ambition to action. The future of energy is no longer just about generation. It is about commercial certainty, resilience and giving Ireland’s largest energy users the confidence to power their next phase of growth.

Sponsored by Power Capital Renewable Energy

Find out more at powercapital.ie

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Ireland doesn’t have enough engineers to meet clean energy demands Rising demand, electrification and geopolitical uncertainty are putting pressure on Ireland’s energy system. A secure, resilient and low-carbon supply is an urgent economic and strategic priority.

critical challenge for Ireland will be to meet the engineering workforce requirements necessary for this energy transition.

Dr Keith Sunderland Registrar, Engineers Ireland

the number of appropriately trained engineering graduates in this country. A particular focus should be placed on promotion to women, who currently make up only around 15% of Ireland’s engineering workforce. Range of engineering opportunities Furthermore, support for the expansion of the number of Virtually all major categories of engineer — including civil, engineering apprenticeship programmes accredited at NFQ structural, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers — level 8 and above could also assist in growing the number of are listed on the Department those entering the profession of Enterprise, Tourism and through non-traditional routes. Employment’s Critical Skills Lastly, five-year integrated Occupation List, indicating master’s degrees, which By including the fifth year within a dearth of engineering allow graduates to meet the the Initiative, more graduates can professionals required for educational requirements the proper functioning of the to obtain the professional be supported on their journeys to economy. title of Chartered Engineer, becoming Chartered Engineers. Ireland also lags significantly are of considerable benefit behind most developed in developing high-quality countries in the proportion engineering graduates, ready to of its graduates of who have enter the workforce. completed engineering, manufacturing or construction Regrettably, however, the fees for the fifth year of this qualifications at third-level, with only 9.95% of Irish programme are not currently paid by the Free Fees Initiative graduates in 2024 having done so, compared to an OECD in the same way other five-year undergraduate, vocationally average of 13.1% and significantly below leading European focused courses (such as medicine) are. By including nations such as Germany (21.3%), Austria (18.9%) and Finland the fifth year within the Initiative, more graduates can (17.1%). be supported on their journeys to becoming Chartered There are a number of key initiatives, however, that can Engineers. help increase the number of students choosing engineering.

Engineering should be made more accessible Greater support for third-level institutions in Ireland in offering and promoting places in engineering courses accredited by Engineers Ireland would assist in growing

Critical need for engineers

Without enough engineers, Ireland’s energy transition, infrastructure delivery and industrial competitiveness objectives will become increasingly difficult to achieve. Greater third-level supports can help address this problem.

25 SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF DATA CENTRE & BESS LOGISTICS The rapid growth of data centres and renewable energy is driving increased demand for efficient, safe handling of large and heavy loads. Both sectors rely on the safe, efficient movement of large, heavy and often awkward loads within increasingly complex facilities. Combilift is ideally positioned to support this evolving industry with specialised material handling solutions. With decades of expertise in handling long, heavy and challenging loads, Combilift provides innovative material handling solutions that improve efficiency, enhance safety and support the evolving needs of the data centre and energy storage industries. The Combi-SC Straddle Carrier provides a flexible, highly manoeuvrable solution for transporting heavy and oversized loads around data centre and BESS facilities.

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Image credits: Designer Group

Behind the energy transition: why grid interconnectivity will define delivery The current energy challenge for Ireland surrounds delivery and how it builds the generation, grid and supporting infrastructure required to meet industry and community needs.

o accommodate a rapidly changing energy system, Ireland must now continue to meet the needs of industry, communities and major energy users.

sources of generation into national transmission systems.

Interconnectors and converter stations

Designer Group has gained direct experience of this infrastructure through its involvement in the Celtic Electricity demand and increased investment Interconnector, the new electricity connection between Over the past year, Designer Group has delivered 430MW of Ireland and France. The project represents a development continuous on-site power for Large Energy User data centre for Ireland’s energy system, strengthening its connection operators in Dublin. To put that with the wider European scale into context, if operated electricity market and continuously, that represents increasing the ability to move enough electricity to match the power between both countries Generation, grid infrastructure and annual electricity consumption as renewable generation grows. of approximately 835,000 renewable projects all ultimately have That experience is now average Irish homes. being carried into another to become functioning assets. Rather than relying solely major energy infrastructure on grid supply, major users project in the UK. The Business are increasingly investing in has secured the electrical dedicated generation, storage, works package for the high-voltage infrastructure and sophisticated energy onshore converter station associated with RWE’s Norfolk management systems. This is creating a more decentralised Vanguard West offshore wind development. These projects energy landscape, where resilience, flexibility and security of demonstrate how power must also be converted, transmitted supply need to be considered alongside overall demand. and successfully integrated into national and international networks.

Decentralised energy landscape in practice

One of the clearest examples is Europe’s first large-scale microgrid-enabled energy centre, delivered in Dublin. Designer Group completed the full mechanical and electrical installation for the facility, integrating on-site generation with complex mechanical and electrical infrastructure to create a highly resilient energy environment. It demonstrates how infrastructure can evolve to meet the needs of large energy users while reducing dependence on constrained grid capacity and creating greater flexibility in how power is generated and managed. The same change can be seen at Echelon’s Dublin campus, where major digital infrastructure is being developed alongside significant dedicated generation and highvoltage infrastructure. Developments of this scale need to be understood not simply as data centres, but as complex energy ecosystems.

Energy ecosystem evolution extends across Europe

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Interconnected developments that will determine success The engineering capability required to support major energy users is also increasingly relevant to the infrastructure needed to connect renewable generation, strengthen national networks and move power across borders. It is this convergence between generation, high-voltage infrastructure, major energy users and grid connectivity that is beginning to define the next phase of the European energy market. Together, these developments point towards an energy system that is becoming more interconnected, decentralised and technically complex.

Practical execution of energy transition For global engineering and construction company Designer Group, the opportunity lies in applying experience gained across generation, grid infrastructure, high-voltage systems and mission-critical environments to the next generation of energy projects. Gary Byrne, Executive Director Energy, believes the next phase will be defined by execution. He concludes: “The conversation around energy has rightly focused on ambition and investment, but the challenge now is delivery. Generation, grid infrastructure and renewable projects all ultimately have to become functioning assets. That requires experienced teams, strong engineering capability and collaboration across developers, utilities, contractors and major energy users.”

Find out more at designergrp.com

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Powering the switch: making electrification attractive Ireland can cut energy costs, reduce fossil fuel imports and strengthen energy security by accelerating affordable electrification.

reland spends an estimated €1 million every hour on imported fossil fuels. Electrifying our energy system offers an opportunity to build a more efficient and competitive economy while cutting emissions, reducing exposure to volatile international energy markets and making greater use of renewable electricity produced here in Ireland. The benefits are particularly clear in heating and transport, where heat pumps and electric vehicles are far more energy-efficient than fossil-fuel alternatives. Yet, these sectors account for more than 80% of Ireland’s final energy demand and are still heavily

much per unit. This is the ‘spark gap’ — the ratio between electricity and fossil-fuel prices. SEAI figures indicate that a unit of electricity in Ireland costs around 2.84 times the equivalent unit of gas. The EU’s Electrification Action Plan aims to bring this ratio below 2.5 for households and 2.0 for industry by 2030.

Accelerating electrification Ireland needs practical measures to close this gap and accelerate the transition. For example, the Government could look at a suite of measures to reduce VAT on electricity and change how electricity network

The cost of electricity relative to fossil fuels remains a significant barrier. dependent on imported oil and gas. The challenge is not just encouraging households and businesses to electrify; it is making the switch affordable and financially attractive while strengthening Ireland’s energy independence.

Closing the spark gap The cost of electricity relative to fossil fuels remains a significant barrier. Even if a heat pump is three times more efficient than a gas boiler, consumers will struggle to make the switch if electricity costs three times as

Ireland Electrified will launch a new paper with further recommendations at its Annual Conference in Dublin on 10 September, bringing industry and policymakers together to discuss a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy future. For more information and registration, visit irelandelectrified.ie

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charges work, so households and businesses can save money by using electricity at times when demand is lower. People should also be rewarded for using technologies such as heat pumps, batteries and EVs, helping to make the switch to clean energy more affordable. Ireland has made significant progress in renewable electricity. The next step is making clean energy affordable for households and businesses, delivering lower costs, greater energy security and a more competitive economy.

Anna Conlan Head of Ireland Electrified

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Energy certainty made possible by CPPAs for Irish businesses Corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs) give Irish businesses long-term energy cost certainty, strengthen operational resilience and support investment in renewable electricity infrastructure.

E Russell Keating Director of Sales, SSE Airtricity

nergy market volatility has reinforced an important across the company’s Cruiserath, Plaza and Shannon sites to lesson: future energy costs can no longer be taken renewable electricity generated at SSE’s Mullananalt Wind for granted. Geopolitical events, international gas Farm in Co. Monaghan. markets and wider system costs continue to shape The agreement gives Bristol Myers Squibb clearer what businesses pay for electricity. traceability over part of its electricity supply through a For many organisations, the challenge is not simply about named Irish renewable asset, while supporting long-term securing the lowest possible price today but securing greater operational resilience and sustainability objectives. For large certainty over future costs. That is energy users, that is the value of a one reason why CPPAs are attracting CPPA in practice: bringing together growing interest from large energy renewable electricity, greater visibility users across Ireland. over supply and a more strategic The significance of CPPAs approach to managing future energy extends beyond the CPPA is fundamentally about needs.

certainty

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individual businesses involved.

Through a long-term agreement linked to renewable electricity generation, businesses can gain greater visibility over a portion of their future energy costs while supporting their decarbonisation objectives. In an environment where uncertainty remains a feature of global energy markets, that predictability has real value. Importantly, CPPAs are not solely about sustainability credentials. While they undoubtedly contribute to net zero objectives, their growing appeal reflects a commercial reality. Businesses increasingly see energy procurement as a strategic decision connected to competitiveness, operational resilience and long-term planning.

Value of CPPA in practice A practical example is SSE Airtricity’s expanded Corporate Power Purchase Agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb in Ireland, which links a defined portion of electricity demand

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Supporting Ireland’s renewable energy infrastructure

The significance of CPPAs extends beyond the individual businesses involved. They can also support investment in new renewable generation by providing greater revenue certainty for renewable generation projects. In that sense, they help align two important objectives: improving affordability and resilience for energy users while supporting the continued development of Ireland’s renewable energy infrastructure. Businesses are no longer focused solely on what electricity costs today. Increasingly, they are rightly asking what it will cost in five, 10 or 15 years and what steps they can take now to reduce uncertainty. The growing interest in CPPAs reflects that shift in thinking. In a more uncertain world, certainty itself has become a form of value. For many Irish businesses, that is becoming just as important as the renewable electricity being supplied.

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