Battery energy storage plant proposed at Moneypoint Generating Station landholding, Carrowdotia South, Co. Clare

In context

It is one of 6 battery storage applications Clare County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 59 nationally. Of the 72 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 78% were granted.

What happens next

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Clare County Council until 20 September 2026, for a fee of €20. Only those who make a submission can later appeal the decision. The council is due to decide by 11 October 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Clare County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

for a ten-year permission for development on lands comprising the former coal storage area, within the existing Moneypoint Generating Station landholding in the townland of Carrowdotia South, and ESB owned lands within the maritime area, County Clare. The proposed development will comprise the construction/installation of a Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) facility and associated plant and equipment, within a fenced compound, comprising the following main components: • LDES Area- Up to 564 No (c. 6.8m L x 2.4m W x 3.1m H) LDES enclosures split across 47 No linear bays, within 12 No blocks. Each linear bay contains 2 rows of 6 LDES enclosures. Each bay will be on a concrete plinth measuring c. 57.1m L x 6.5m W x 0.3m H;- 47 No Medium Voltage (MV) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Inverter Skids/ Twin Inverter Skids (c. 12.8m L x 6m W x 2.4m H) and associated plinths (c. 13.3m L x 6.5m W x 0.3m H), bunds and fire walls;- 10 No Auxiliary Transformers (c. 2.6m L x 2m W x 3m H including foundation / plinth), associated bunds (c. 4m L x 4m W x 0.8m H) and fire walls;- 2 No MV Switchgear Pre-fabricated Buildings (c. 18.85m L x 6m W x 4.6m H);- 5 No Low Voltage Switchgear Containers (c. 8m L x 5m W x 3.61m H);- Noise barrier (c.194m L x 6m H); • Ancillary Equipment- 1 No Power Quality Equipment (c. 5m L x 5m W x 3m H); - 1 No Fire Water Storage Tank (c. 13.4m diameter x 9.8m H) on c. 14.5m diameter x 0.35m H plinth; - 1 No Fire Water Pumphouse (c. 10m L x 6.2m W x 5.4m H);- 4 No 40” Spares Containers (c. 12.2m L x 2.4m W x 2.59m H);- 4 No Back Up Diesel Generator Plinths (c. 7m W x 4.1m L x 0.15m H); - 1 No operational & maintenance Portakabin (c. 9.15m L x 3.05m W x 3.15m H);- 1 No Double Toilet Block (c. 2.4m L x 1.2m W x 2.5m H) with Foul Holding Tank;- 1 No Below ground Fire Water Retention Tank;- Modifications to the existing Settlement Pond; • High Voltage Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) Compound (c. 3068 sqm footprint), bounded by up to 4m H palisade fencing, containing - 1 No Step-Up Transformer (c. 18m L x 8m W x 11m H) and associated bund (c. 23.2m L x 19.7m W) and fire walls (c. 11m H); - Associated electrical equipment including, Current transformers / voltage transformers (CT/VT) Circuit Breakers, Neutral Earth Resistors, Cable Chairs, and Line Earth Disconnects; • 1 No Prefabricated Electrical Control (PEC) /Modular Control and Protection Building (c. 18.85m L x 4.2m W x 4.6m H); • The Proposed LDES development will connect via underground cab