SONI, the Electricity System Operator for Northern Ireland runs and plans the electricity grid and has welcomed the energisation of the island’s largest energy storage battery in County Tyrone.

The 50MW battery at Drumkee in County Tyrone can hold enough clean energy to power approximately 30,000 homes.

Battery storage allows power from excess generation, such as onshore wind, to be stored on the grid and used to meet demand when it is needed.

This technology which will play an important role as Northern Ireland seeks to decarbonise its power system.  It provides the flexibility that SONI as grid operator will need as we strive to reach beyond our already world leading levels of clean power on the network.

The battery, owned by Renewable energy investment and asset management company Low Carbon, in partnership with Gore Street Energy Storage Fund, is now actively contributing to the grid.

SONI collaborated extensively on this project, and was among a number of key companies who made a clean energy project of the future a reality today; helping to bring the project through to successful completion. We worked in partnership with the battery owners as well as our colleagues in Northern Ireland Electricity Networks, NEC Energy Storage Solutions, and G2 Energy.

Alan Campbell SONI Managing Director (Interim) & Head of Infrastructure Projects and Connections said:

“The energisation of this battery is testament to focused collaboration in support of Northern Ireland’s clean energy future.  Projects like this have an important part to play in increasing  integration of renewable energy on to the grid; they will provide reserve sources of green power, which we can rely on when the sun isn’t shining or when the wind isn’t blowing.  By diversifying Northern Ireland’s fuel mix and generation sources, we can deliver on the Economy Minister’s ambition for a renewable electricity target of no less than 70% by 2030, while not compromising security of supply for Northern Ireland’s consumers.”