LATEST: Massive €650 million euro Tipperary project makes major step forward

In the latest update on the Silvermines Hyrdroelectric Project, An Bord Pleanála have confirmed that it has been deemed mature enough to enter the permit-granting process for Projects of Common Interest.

Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) is a category of projects launched in 2013, which the European Commission has identified as a key priority to interconnect the energy infrastructure in the European Union. These projects are eligible to receive public funds. The PCI list is reviewed every two years.

In an RTÉ report published earlier today, Gordon Deegan writes "The appeals board stated that it has acknowledged the Silvermines Hydroelectric Energy Storage Project in its capacity as national competent authority to evaluate Projects of Common Interest.

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"The appeals board will evaluate the project under an EU procedure which aims to streamline the consenting process for trans-European energy projects which are contained in a list of projects adopted by the European Commission."

The multi-million-euro project will create a hydroelectric power station that will transform the long disused former mining site at Magcobar, into one of Ireland’s leading green energy facilities. Pumped Hydro technology is dependable and proven way to store energy and generate electricity.  

The 148-hectare site is located in Tipperary on the Northern ridge of the Silvermines Mountain range. The project will utilise the existing void to create a lower reservoir and see the creation of a second, upper reservoir just below the crest of the hilltop.  

The project will be able to vary loads and to rapidly switch between import and export modes with high round trip efficiency, thereby allowing access to a range of ancillary grid support services as well as traditional load shifting. The project will play an  essential role in balancing the grid and will play its part in reducing Ireland’s fossil fuel  dependency and allowing the integration of more variable renewable generation on  the grid.  

It will create job opportunities in the region and deliver significant  environmental benefits. The project is well supported on a local and national level,  having been identified in Ireland’s “Review of the Security of Energy Supply of Ireland’s  Electricity and Natural Gas Systems” as a mitigating solution to Ireland’s energy  challenges.