SSE has acquired the project development rights for a 120MW/240MWh grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Ireland's Midlands from UK-based renewable energy company Low Carbon which, if approved for final delivery, could be constructed and operational by the end of decade.

The purchase marks another step forward for SSE Renewables, the renewable energy business of FTSE-listed SSE plc, as it continues to grow its battery storage development portfolio on the island of Ireland.

Under the deal SSE Renewables has acquired the consented Thornsberry BESS project in County Offaly from Grid Systems Services Limited, a developer of grid-scale battery storage projects in Ireland owned by Low Carbon.

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Thornsberry is on a secured greenfield site in the townlands of Derrynagall and Ballydaly near Tullamore with planning consent for a grid-scale BESS. It has a grid connection offer to connect 120MW of import/export capacity to Ireland’s national grid via an adjacent existing 110kV substation.

The proposed battery system would be capable of storing up to 240MWh of energy for flexible dispatch at times of peak demand. When called upon, Thornsberry would be capable of providing back-up energy to the equivalent of over 115,000 Irish homes for up to two hours at a time*, while also delivering essential balancing services to Ireland’s energy system.

Subject to a final investment decision by SSE Renewables, the project could enter construction and be operational by the end of the decade. The project would be expected to provide a boost to the supply chain and job creation in County Offaly and the wider Midlands during delivery. It would also support the delivery of local authority essential services in Offaly through the payment of development contributions and commercial rates.

The addition of the Thornsberry project grows the company’s secured battery pipeline in Ireland to 300MW, as part of a wider 1.8GW pipeline across Ireland and the UK.