€650 million Tipperary hydroelectric project enters final consultation stage
Silvermines Hydro Project enters final public consultation stage ahead of planning application
The proposed €650 million Silvermines Hydro Project has entered the final stage of its public consultation process, with a six-week exhibition period now under way ahead of the submission of a planning application.
The ambitious development, planned for the former Magcobar mining site near Silvermines village, would transform the disused mine into a large-scale electricity storage facility, using pumped hydroelectric technology.
The scheme would involve using the existing mine pit as a lower water reservoir, with a second reservoir constructed higher up on Silvermines Mountain.
When excess electricity is available on the national grid, it would be used to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. When electricity is needed, the water would be released downhill through turbines to generate power and feed it back into the national grid.
The proposed facility would have a generating capacity of up to 296 megawatts and electricity storage capacity of approximately 2,175 megawatt-hours. It is intended to help balance electricity supply and demand while supporting Ireland's transition towards renewable energy.
The project has now progressed to Stage 3 – Detailed Design, marking the final phase of public consultation before a planning application is submitted.
The latest consultation period runs from Monday, November 9, until Monday, December 21, 2026, with members of the public invited to examine the updated proposals and provide feedback.
The deadline for submitting comments is 5pm on Monday, December 21, at which point the pre-application consultation process will formally close.
As part of the latest engagement programme, two public exhibitions will take place at Hickey's Lounge in Silvermines Village.
The first exhibition is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, from 3pm to 8pm, followed by a second exhibition on Friday, December 4, from 2pm to 7pm.
The exhibitions will provide an opportunity for local residents and other interested members of the public to view the progressed design proposals, including further information addressing key issues raised during previous consultation events.
Members of the project's design team will also be present to answer questions and receive feedback.
For those unable to attend the Silvermines exhibitions, display materials will be available at Nenagh Library from December 7 to December 21. The display will be unmanned.
The latest announcement represents a significant step forward for the proposed development, which has been the subject of public engagement since the project first launched its consultation programme in May 2025.
That initial programme introduced the proposals to the local community and invited feedback as the project moved towards more detailed design work.
With Stage 3 now representing the final pre-application consultation phase, the coming weeks will provide another opportunity for the community to examine the proposals and raise any outstanding concerns before the planning application process begins.
Members of the public wishing to make submissions or comments should do so before the 5pm deadline on Monday, December 21, 2026.