Ireland’s utility regulator has approved procurement of up to 500 MW of long-duration energy storage, the country’s first dedicated support mechanism for the asset class, but developers say the contract terms are too short to mobilise capital.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities decision, published in October, sets up a technology-neutral, service-based competitive tender open to projects with at least four hours of import and export. Awards will include a revenue floor capped by levelised cost of storage, with revenue above the floor shared 70:30 in favour of the market, so consumers keep 30%.
Eligible projects must be at least 20 MW for hybrid and 75 MW for standalone schemes, and no more than 100 MW, with round-trip efficiency of at least 75%. Co-located hybrids must have at least 30 MW of transmission-connected renewable generation. Tender scoring weights cost at 50%, impact at 30% and connection method at 20%.
Energy Storage Ireland welcomed the move as a starting point. Director Bobby Smith said the 10-year contract is short next to the UK’s cap-and-floor scheme, which runs for 25 years, and the group has asked the CRU to extend terms to about 15 years. Colleague David Rossiter said the scheme finally gives storage developers a level of certainty.
The CRU described the 500 MW volume as a ceiling rather than a target.
✦ This article was adapted by AI from public news sources for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice.
