Energy Storage Ireland (ESI) has welcomed the Government's new Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP), describing it as a timely and strategic policy that formally recognises energy storage as core national infrastructure.

The Action Plan outlines a plan-led approach to supporting the growth of energy-intensive industries including data centres, life sciences, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, while accelerating Ireland’s transition to a secure, low-carbon electricity system. A key feature of LEAP is the creation of Green Energy Parks, where large energy users will be co-located with renewable generation and energy storage infrastructure.

Bobby Smith, Head of ESI, said: "LEAP formally embeds energy storage at the centre of Green Energy Parks and large energy user planning, sending a clear signal that future industrial growth is conditional on storage-enabled, low-carbon power solutions. LEAP rightly recognises that Ireland's enterprise economy can only grow sustainably if energy infrastructure evolves in parallel. By centring energy storage within Green Energy Parks and large-scale industrial planning, the Government is acknowledging the critical role storage plays in unlocking renewable energy, managing grid constraints and enabling investment in the technology economy."

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ESI said the policy also sends a strong message to investors by committing to long-term planning and improved regulatory certainty.

David Rossiter, ESI Senior Communications and Public Affairs Specialist, said: "The Action Plan also sends an important signal to investors by committing to long-term planning, improved regulatory certainty and market structures that allow revenue streams. We have a 10-gigawatt storage pipeline ready to go if market conditions are created. Large energy users now need to ensure that they are powered by renewables. Energy storage offers a tangible and ready-to-go solution to that problem."

He added: "Energy Storage Ireland also welcomes that LEAP strengthens the policy case for storage as a preferred alternative to fossil-fuel backup generation, particularly for data centres and other large energy users. By supporting storage-led solutions, the Plan aligns enterprise policy with Ireland's climate targets while enhancing security of supply. Energy storage is the connective tissue between renewable energy, grid infrastructure and industrial demand."

Energy Storage Ireland said it looks forward to working closely with Government, regulators, system operators and enterprise agencies to ensure energy storage is fully embedded in the planning, market and infrastructure reforms arising from LEAP, and that its designation as critical national infrastructure is reflected in implementation.