A New Era for Ireland's Electricity Grid
Ireland has officially ushered in a new era for its energy landscape, with battery storage units now able to participate directly in the wholesale electricity market. This significant development, implemented from November 11, 2025, marks a pivotal step towards a more flexible, efficient, and sustainable power system across the island of Ireland. The initiative, known as the Scheduling and Dispatch Programme (SDP-02), has been spearheaded by the transmission system operators EirGrid and System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI), alongside the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO).
The Shift to Active Market Participation
Previously, grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Ireland primarily served to provide stability services, such as frequency regulation, often through programs like the DS3 System Services. Under the new SDP-02 rules, these battery assets are now empowered to engage in active energy trading. This means they can charge from the grid during periods of abundant renewable energy generation or low prices and then discharge to supply power when demand is high or prices are elevated. Battery operators can now participate in day-ahead, intraday, and real-time markets, signaling their preferred charging and discharging times to grid managers.
Driving Renewable Integration and Grid Stability
The full integration of battery storage into the wholesale market is expected to deliver multiple benefits for Ireland's energy system. It is crucial for enhancing grid flexibility, efficiency, and overall sustainability. This move directly supports Ireland's ambitious target of achieving 80% renewable energy by 2030. By allowing batteries to store surplus renewable energy and release it when needed, the system can better mitigate the intermittency of renewable sources like wind and solar, reducing oversupply and curtailment of clean generation. Furthermore, this active participation is anticipated to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to lowering electricity costs for consumers by introducing a new source of supply. Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien, welcomed the update, stating that 'The role of battery storage in Ireland's energy needs is critical.'
Current Capacity and Future Growth
Ireland has seen significant growth in its battery storage infrastructure. Currently, the country boasts approximately 1.4 GWh of operational BESS capacity across 30 sites, a figure that has roughly doubled in the past year. Companies like ESB are major players, with over 300 MW of battery storage capacity in operation, making it one of Europe's largest battery portfolios. Projections indicate continued rapid expansion, with some forecasts suggesting cumulative operational capacity could reach over 1.7 GWh by the end of 2025. The development pipeline for BESS in Ireland is substantial, with almost 10 GW under development, and Cornwall Insight predicts that short- and medium-term storage capacity could reach 13.5 GWh by 2030.
5 Comments
Leonardo
Brilliant move for grid stability and energy independence. Well done, EirGrid!
Michelangelo
This will definitely lower carbon emissions. A win for everyone.
paracelsus
While integrating batteries certainly helps with renewable intermittency, the actual cost passed onto consumers for this infrastructure remains a big question mark. We need transparency on pricing.
anubis
It's great to see steps towards a more flexible grid and less fossil fuel reliance. However, we must ensure that these large-scale battery projects aren't just creating new corporate monopolies in the energy sector.
paracelsus
The ambition to reach 80% renewables by 2030 is commendable, and battery storage is key to that. Yet, the article doesn't address the ethical sourcing of raw materials for these batteries or their eventual disposal.