New project in Ireland will investigate offshore green-hydrogen storage

ESB and dCarbonX have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the joint assessment and development of Irish offshore green hydrogen subsurface storage. This partnership represents another milestone in Ireland’s emerging hydrogen economy as part of its transition to a low-carbon future.  

Under this agreement, ESB and dCarbonX will work together on licensing, environmental studies, site selection, project sanctioning, offshore infrastructure development, commissioning and operations in areas that are adjacent to ESB’s existing and planned future infrastructure.   This partnership covers all subsea energy storage offshore in Ireland and will also support the creation of a proposed new ‘Green Hydrogen Valley’ centred around the Poolbeg peninsula in Dublin, which will enable green hydrogen production and storage that can be used to decarbonise heavy transport, shipping, industry and power generation.  

Padraig O’Hiceadha, ESB Strategy Manager, Generation and Trading, said: “ESB recognises that hydrogen produced from renewable electricity will play a significant role in the decarbonisation of many sectors. To that end, we plan to use our existing capabilities and future renewable growth to become a leading player in large scale renewable hydrogen production, thereby enabling renewable electricity, in the form of electrons or green molecules, to meet the energy requirements of Ireland’s future zero-carbon economy. We are proud to partner with dCarbonX to develop the many opportunities in this emerging industry.” 

Ireland’s clean energy transition requires a balance of solutions which includes the production of green hydrogen. When wind farms produce more electricity than can be used, the excess renewable electricity can be converted into green hydrogen – without producing greenhouse gas emissions – and stored as a fuel to be later used for when the wind isn’t blowing.  

Tony O’Reilly, dCarbonX CEO, said: “The large-scale underground storage of green hydrogen is the critical element to Ireland fully exploiting its significant indigenous wind energy resources both for domestic consumption and overseas export. Our partnership with ESB leverages on our core subsurface capabilities, offshore operating expertise and project management skills to deliver the required subsurface energy storage solutions. We are excited to be working with a company of the calibre of ESB on this significant energy transition project which is of Irish and European strategic importance.”

The large-scale storage of green hydrogen is a cornerstone of future low carbon, resilient and reliable energy sectors. Storing green hydrogen at scale in subsurface offshore caverns is a safe and cost-effective solution, enabling the large-scale deployment of intermittent renewable energy whilst also improving national security of supply and reducing system energy losses.