Gas Networks Ireland and Bord na Móna announced today (Tuesday, April 2) the development of gas infrastructure to connect the Edenderry Renewable Energy Complex, Co. Offaly to the national gas network.
The grid connection will allow for the integration of both natural gas and renewable gas, including biomethane and green hydrogen into the fuel mix.
When the project is complete, it will immediately facilitate a reduction of approximately 40% in CO2 emissions at the Edenderry power plant.
It will provide 116 megawatt (MW) of electricity to help balance the intermittency of supply from other energy sources in the country.
The investment will cost €2.8 billion, and see the construction of a steel transmission pipeline, approximately 22km in length from Edenderry to Ireland’s gas network.
The transmission connection project is currently in its preliminary planning and development phase, with construction expected to start in 2027 and the pipeline anticipated to be fully operational in 2029.
Initially the project will facilitate the transmission of natural gas, with a shift to renewable gases over time.
Edenderry
Gas Networks Ireland stated that it intends to engage with local communities and host public information evenings over the coming weeks to share more details about the project and its benefits.
Gas Networks Ireland’s newly appointed director of assets and infrastructure, Brian Sheehan said: “The gas network can be adapted to transport zero-carbon gases, such as green hydrogen.
“It has already transformed once, from carrying town gas to natural gas over 40 years ago, and more recently adapted to biomethane when it was first introduced onto the Irish network in 2019.”
Head of renewable energy at Bord na Móna, John Reilly said that existing diesel generation assets “play a key role” in supplying 116MW of electricity to the national energy grid during periods of high demand.
“This development will ensure these generation assets are operating even more sustainably, as one of the largest on-demand renewable electricity generators in Ireland,” Reilly said.