• News
  • Press Releases

Strategic Power Projects announce progress with grid connection for new Solar & Battery storage project in Louth


Embargo 00.01 Monday 22 November 2021

Eirgrid and ESB have published the list of renewable energy projects which will receive grid connection offers through the ECP 2.2 process. 

Strategic Power Projects, a leading Irish renewables developer, is delighted to have confirmation that it will receive a grid connection offer to develop a 185MW hybrid solar and battery storage project in Louth – the single largest project on the ECP list. The firm also led the development of a similar hybrid scheme at Garr, Offaly with a capacity of 135MW.

The Monvallet project, which is a hybrid solar and co-located battery scheme, was granted approval by Louth County Council in September this year. The 150 acre site is located in Monvallet, adjacent to Louth substation which is a key node on the national electricity grid and will generate 50MW green electricity. The project also includes one of the largest Battery storage facilities in Ireland at 135MW which will provide system services and security of supply to the grid, something which has caused alarm recently with warnings of system black outs.

Paul Carson, Strategic Power Projects, Managing Director, commented: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome in Monvallet and are dedicated to working closely with all stakeholders including Eirgrid and ESB to ensure transparency of our long-term approach and to generate a thorough understanding of what these solar and battery assets will achieve for a brighter and cleaner future in Ireland.”

“Successfully securing planning approval and now inclusion in the ECP list is a testament to the collaboration between our team and the parties we work closely with in unlocking the potential of our sites.”

“Solar power has a vital role to play if we are to achieve Ireland’s ambitious renewables  target by 2030.  The solar farm in Monvallet will not only advance this commitment but also support the Government in delivering a mix of renewable generation.”

Most recently, Strategic Power Projects announced their partnership with Gresham House plc, a specialist alternative asset manager, to deliver renewable energy through new build solar and battery storage assets throughout Ireland.

The partnership is expected to deliver a combined capacity of well over 1GW across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with site locations secured and under development close to major electricity grid infrastructure hubs.