300 MW battery storage plant proposed at Ballincarroonig, Aghada, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 14 battery storage applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 60 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 Cork County Council until 24 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 15 October 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

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

Electricity Supply Board (ESB) intend to apply for Permission for development at this site of 4.65 hectares at Ballincarroonig, Aghada, County Cork, within the wider ESB landholding. The development will consist of the "Aghada LDES" (Aghada Long Duration Energy Storage) project comprising a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of up to 300 MW. It comprises a fenced compound containing a BESS compound and Customer HV Compound. Specifically, the BESS compound will feature up to 200 No. 20 ft battery energy storage system (BESS) enclosures and up to 20 No. Medium Voltage (MV) Skids / Twin Inverter Skids and associated bunds. Associated ancillary equipment includes 1 no. MV switchgear building, 1 no. Control Building, 5 no. LV Switchgear Containers, a fire water tank and pumphouse, Operation and Maintenance site offices (O&M portacabin) including welfare facilities, 3 no. spare parts stores (20-40 ft containers), 1 no. backup diesel generator plinth, an underground fire water retention tank, a surface water soakaway, harmonics structure (if required following testing of equipment), all services connections including electrical, potable water and connections to surface water drains, external lighting poles, CCTV, lighting monopole. The proposed Customer HV Compound will comprise Grid Step-up Transformers and associated bunds and fire walls, 5 No. Auxiliary Transformers and associated bunds, associated electrical equipment including current transformers/voltage transformers (CT/VT) Circuit Breakers, Neutral Earth Resistors, Cable Chairs, and Line Earth Disconnects, external lighting poles, CCTV, lightning monopole. The development proposal also includes a new site access road from the existing Aghada station, access gate, palisade fencing to secure both compounds (2.6m high) and all ancillary site clearance and development works including provision of areas of hard standing, internal access roads, laydown area, car parking and connections to site services and networks. The proposed development is located within the wider ESB Aghada Generating Station complex, which operates under EPA Industrial Emissions Licence Ref. P0561-05 and is a notified Lower Tier COMAH / Seveso establishment. A COMAH Land Use Planning Assessment has been submitted with the application. The proposed BESS development itself is not a COMAH establishment and does not comprise an activity requiring an Industrial Emissions Licence.