EirGrid sets long-duration energy storage procurement for Ireland

EirGrid, Ireland’s transmission system operator, has unveiled its first consultation for long-duration energy storage (LDES), targeting a minimum of four hours and 201 MW of capacity by 2030. The procurement is structured to accommodate multiple projects, delivering at least 804 MWh initially, with potential expansion to 500 MW.

Assets must meet a minimum round-trip efficiency of 75% and be capable of real-time dispatch to support grid operations. EirGrid will control daily charge and discharge windows via an operational envelope, updated according to grid conditions, and will favour hybrid connections or projects optimising existing infrastructure. Minimum project sizes are set at 20 MW for co-located systems and 75 MW for standalone units, with a 100 MW ceiling per site.

The payment model combines a revenue floor with revenue sharing, using Levelised Cost of Storage (LCOS) assumptions to cap the floor price. A 70/30 revenue split benefits asset owners while requiring open-book accounting. Scoring for tenders prioritises cost (50%), connection method (30%), and project location (20%), incentivising deployment in grid-constrained areas for maximum value.

EirGrid aims to provide a transparent, technology-neutral framework that accelerates Ireland’s energy transition while enhancing the flexibility and reliability of the national grid. Industry participants will have the opportunity to engage in a webinar on 5 November, with the consultation closing on 24 November.

The first contracted projects are expected to be operational by 2030, forming a cornerstone of Ireland’s strategy to integrate multi-hour energy storage into its renewable energy infrastructure.

Explore more details in the full story and prepare for participation in Ireland’s emerging energy storage market.