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Energy Storage in Ireland: What’s Holding Us Back?

By Ray Henry, Program Manager at EnergyPro.

Chairing panel discussion at Cyber Security Conference
Franco Criscuolo, Business Development Manager, and Christopher Emo, Asset Manager.

At Energy Storage Ireland 2025, the message was clear: energy storage is central to a stable, low-carbon grid, and while short-duration battery systems (BESS) are available, long-duration storage (LDES) supply is in its infancy, however ESBN has a structure to enable LDES rollout in Ireland.


The technology is advancing fast. DS3 and capacity markets have provided bankable routes to revenue for many battery projects. But delays around arbitrage trading access on the ISEM, and a lack of clarity around hybrid and long-duration projects, are holding the sector back from scaling. 

 

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are critical to a resilient, low-carbon grid. They balance renewable generation, support stability, and enable the 24/7 clean energy future we’re all aiming for. But despite years of discussion and technical progress, Ireland’s BESS sector is still stuck in the starting blocks. 

 

Let’s break down the insights, tensions, and next steps-starting with the elephant in the room.

 

 

Storage Is Ready. Policy Isn’t. 

There’s no shortage of ambition. And there’s no shortage of technical know-how. But what’s missing is a defined route to market. 

 

As one speaker, Bobby Smith, put it plainly: 

 

“The industry won’t wait forever.” 

 

Without timely policy signals-on tariffs, access, contracts, and co-location-developers and investors are left in limbo. Meanwhile, project pipelines grow fat... and slow. 

 

 

BESS in Ireland: A Pipeline Stuck on Paper 


Here’s the current snapshot: 

  • 3.9 GW with planning consented 

  • 1.6 GW in planning 

  • 4.4 GW in pre-planning 

  • 2.5 GW with grid offers 

  • 0.083 GW under construction 

  • 1.2 GW operational 

 

Those numbers tell a frustrating story: we’re planning far more capacity than we’re building. The gap? Delays in enabling BESS participation in the energy market-especially trading access, revenue stacking, and long-term price signals. 

 

 

24/7 Clean Energy Requires Storage 


To move past "wind when it's windy and solar when it's sunny," we need flexible storage that can shift clean energy to when it’s needed. 

This is no longer just a climate issue-it’s a commercial one. Data centres, industrial users, and corporates want round-the-clock clean energy matching. That’s only possible with robust, responsive battery infrastructure. 

 

 

Where Should Storage Go? 


The default answer-"co-locate with generation"-isn’t always feasible. 

Yes, it makes sense from an efficiency standpoint. But Ireland’s grid congestion and generation imbalance mean strategic grid-side storage can be even more impactful-easing local constraints, absorbing excess wind, and supporting voltage stability. 

 

 

Making Batteries Bankable 


Right now, investing in battery storage in Ireland is risky. Why? Because the revenue model is hazy and fragmented. 

 

To unlock capital at scale, investors need: 

  • ✅ Dynamic tariffs that reward smart charging behaviour 

  • ✅ Revenue stacking across DS3, wholesale, and capacity markets 

  • ✅ Long-term contracts to anchor return models 

  • ✅ Clarity around hybrid assets (BESS + solar/wind) 

  • ✅ Consistent, stable policy they can underwrite 

 

The result? More confidence, more deals, more storage on the grid. 

 

Ireland’s Long-Duration Storage Strategy 


There’s one positive on the horizon: The Demand Flexible Product (DFP). 

ESBN plans to auction long-duration storage for key grid-congested locations, offering: 

 

  • Location-led auctions 

  • 15-year contracts to support capex-heavy assets 

  • Grid resilience boosts in constrained zones 

 

This could be a turning point-but only if delivery matches the promise. 

 

What’s Needed for a Future-Ready System? 


The ingredients for a successful energy storage market in Ireland aren’t mysterious. They’re already working in other jurisdictions. We just need to align: 

  • A clear market framework for storage 

  • Faster renewables deployment to create storage demand 

  • Reliable investment signals to de-risk new assets 

  • Grid modernisation to support bi-directional, flexible power flows 

 

Storage isn’t a luxury-it’s the linchpin of a net-zero system. 

 

Quick Reference: Ireland’s Storage Status (2025) 

Factor 

Current Status 

What’s Needed 

Policy Clarity 

Fragmented 

Define BESS market access, rules, and hybrid models 

Pipeline vs Construction 

3.9 GW with planning, 2.5 GW with grid offers & only 0.083 GW under construction 

Streamline permitting, unlock revenue certainty 

Investment Bankability 

Medium risk, unclear returns 

Tariff reform, DS3/wholesale stacking, long-term contracts 

Grid Location Strategy 

Emerging, not standardised 

Plan grid-based storage to relieve local constraints 

Long-Duration Auctions (DFP) 

In planning 

Deliver auctions on time with attractive terms 

  

Building a Future-Ready Storage System 


Battery storage is not just a technical solution-it’s an economic enabler, a grid stabiliser, and a climate imperative. 

 

At EnergyPro, we’re helping clients navigate the complexity of Renewable Energy projects -whether it’s: 

  • Outsourced Asset Management for renewable projects (Wind, Solar, BESS) 

  • Reporting and analysis for operational Renewable Projects 

  • Consultancy – grid, due diligence, insurance  

 

Have a question about Renewable Energy? We’d love to help. Reach out to us at sales@energypro.ie 


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