Statkraft has completed an 11MW battery in the Republic of Ireland, set to participate in the DS3 flexibility market.
The battery, which Statkraft is lauding as the Republic of Ireland’s first, was completed in partnership with Fluence, with the battery modules produced by LG Chem.
It is to be fully operational in 2020, with Statkraft to enter into a contract with Irish transmission operator EirGrid through its DS3 flexibility market, providing reserves to the national electricity grid.
It is one of two DS3 battery energy storage systems in the Single Electricity Market. The other, a project in Northern Ireland owned by EP UK Investments, was also delivered by Fluence.
The DS3 programme was first established in 2011, with details of the first procurement announced in September 2018. Between 91MW and 140MW were initially earmarked for procurement, with 110MW the eventual amount available.
Projects awarded the six year contracts in that auction are required to go live by 1 September 2021.
Other projects awarded DS3 contracts include Gore Street Energy Storage Fund’s two 30MW storage projects in Northern Ireland, which recently received an additional funding commitment of £9.5 million from The National Treasury Management Agency for their development.
Statkraft’s Kerry battery is located on the site of its first standalone Irish onshore wind project, Kilathmoy, on the Limerick/Kerry border in the south-west of Ireland.
The 23MW wind project cost €30 million to develop, with Statkraft having a development pipeline of 1.25GW of onshore wind and 500MW of offshore wind in Ireland.
It also recently entered the Irish solar market, acquiring a portfolio of 320MW of solar from JBM Solar. The utility says it now has 350MW of solar in the country.
Statkraft Ireland’s managing director Kevin O’Donovan said it is a “landmark” moment for the Irish energy market and represents a “very exciting milestone”.
“Energy storage systems further diversify our own portfolio, and this project continues our growth trajectory while complementing our extensive renewable development plans,” he continued.