Containerized BESS project financing options in Ireland 2025

How many Bess projects are there in Ireland?

Currently, around 17 BESS are connected to the grid, with many more filtering their way through the planning system around the country. Over the past number of weeks, the Irish Farmers Journal has been contacted by a number of farmers who have been approached by developers looking to build BESS projects on their land. Land requirement

Which energy company is launching a Bess system in Ireland?

Last July, Neoen Renewables Ireland Ltd, a French renewable energy company, announced a 149.6MW BESS on an 8.5ac site near Portarlington, Laois. Just last week, the ESB opened a 75MW/150MWh BESS at the Poolbeg Energy Hub in Dublin. The system is Ireland’s largest so far and is part of its €300m BESS portfolio.

Which energy projects are being rolled out in Ireland?

The 20MW BESS will be co-located with Statkraft’s 55.8MW Cushaling Wind Farm, which is under construction. Many BESS projects are set to be rolled out at pace. Last October, Siemens Energy shared plans to bring a hybrid grid stabilisation and battery storage plant to Ireland.

How does a Bess project work?

BESS projects collect energy from renewable sources, such as wind and solar panels, or from the electricity grid, storing it in large battery storage units. These batteries release the energy back to the grid when needed – for instance, during peak demands, helping to balance supply and demand, and improve grid stability.

Should a Bess development be treated separately?

If a renewable energy project, like a solar farm, is being developed on your land with a BESS as part of it, then both developments should be treated separately. Typically, BESS developments involve leasing land from landowners for upwards of 30 years or more but the lease can be structured in several ways.

Can a Bess project be built on your land?

Over the past number of weeks, the Irish Farmers Journal has been contacted by a number of farmers who have been approached by developers looking to build BESS projects on their land. Land requirement BESS developments require relatively modest space in comparison to other projects.