Battery power has the potential to provide secure, affordable, clean power to thousands of homes when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing, according to a report by Energy Storage Ireland.

The report, Energy Storage Ireland’s Pipeline Survey 2025, identified 155 projects with a total storage capacity of almost 10GW, that either have planning permission, are currently in the planning system or are in pre-planning stages. This would increase Ireland’s energy storage capacity almost eightfold – enough to power every home in Ireland twice over on a still, cloudy day.

Last year, 14% of all wind energy generated in Ireland was wasted due to lack of storage. If this pipeline was built out, we could capture all of that wasted energy and more, further reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and further driving down energy costs for consumers.

'Transform our electricity system for the better'

Bobby Smith, head of Energy Storage Ireland, said: “Energy storage solutions can transform our electricity system for the better. The price of batteries has come down by 90% in the past decade, making them a cost-effective way of providing a constant supply of otherwise intermittent renewable energy. It’s good for the grid, good for electricity consumers, and good for the planet. Now is the time for policymakers to support investments in these critical technologies”.

Despite the critical role for energy storage solutions in Ireland’s renewable energy transition, many of these planned projects are facing challenges in finding a route to market.

“Looking at the project pipeline, it’s clear that we have the delivery capabilities – what we need now is the policy certainty to turn this potential into reality. We’ve seen the positive impact of government support schemes in driving the delivery of wind and solar power.

"We need to see similar schemes put in place for energy storage, like the cap and floor scheme launched in Britain earlier this year. Today we’re calling on policymakers to develop such a scheme here in Ireland, so that the energy storage sector is empowered to play their part in Ireland’s renewable energy transition,” said Smith.

Co-located storage and generation projects

Further policy recommendations include simplifying grid connection policy for co-located storage and generation projects, and delivering a stronger, more robust, electricity grid to increase connection capabilities, ensuring the clean, affordable, power from renewable energy sources can be stored for times of high demand.

Today’s conference heard from a range of stakeholders across the renewable sector, discussing the potential role of energy storage in the Irish energy transition, and the rapidly emerging new technologies in the sector.

Event speakers included Kevin O’Donovan, senior vice president with Statkraft Ireland; Lisa Foley, head of Ireland & Northern Ireland, Cornwall Insight; and Bobby Smith, head of Energy Storage Ireland also addressing the event, while MEP Seán Kelly delivered the keynote address.