€25m battery facility approved in Monaghan

Changes to a large-scale battery storage facility in Co Monaghan have been given the green light.

Innogy Renewables Ireland Limited has been granted planning permission for some significant additions to its previously permitted 60-megawatt (MW) facility at Lisdrumdoagh, Rackwallace.

Around €25 million is to be invested by the German-owned firm in the development. Construction had been due to start this year, with commissioning scheduled for 2021.

Monaghan County Council approved the plans with five conditions attached.

Innogy hopes the battery storage plant will provide system services to the national grid and hold enough energy to power around 125,000 homes in the country.

The additions sought included a 110kV busbar extension, a 110kV transformer bay and a 110kV coupler bay, the installation of approximately 185m of 110kV underground ducting and cables between the ESB substation and the battery storage site.

It also included the erection of palisade fencing around the 110kV cable route between the two sites, and the extension of the existing access road due to the installation of the 110kV cable and palisade fencing.

The application is being overseen by Limerick-based TLI Group, a utility infrastructure consultancy and construction company, operating extensively within the utilities sector in Ireland and the UK.