Under the global wave of energy transition, building a flexible and resilient new power system has become a critical path. As a typical region where the proportion of renewable energy generation continues to rise, the island of Ireland is accelerating the deployment of energy storage solutions to stabilize the intermittent output of wind and solar energy and ensure the safety of the power grid. In this context, in 2025, energy giant SSE announced its final investment decision for its Derrymeen battery energy storage system in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. This energy storage facility with an installed power of 100 megawatts and a capacity of 200 megawatt hours is not only an important milestone on the SSE energy storage map, but also an important cornerstone for the island of Ireland to move towards a high proportion of renewable energy in the future.

Market driven key nodes in the power grid

The Drimian project is not an isolated project, but a key node precisely embedded in the current electricity market and infrastructure network. Firstly, the project has obtained a ten-year capacity market contract that will take effect from October 2028, providing it with long-term stable revenue expectations and an important economic guarantee for the project's ultimate advancement. Secondly, its site selection is highly strategic: the project will be directly built next to the Tamnamor 275/110 kV substation. This proximity access mode minimizes the need for new transmission lines, optimizes technology integration, and efficiently provides frequency regulation, backup capacity, and other services for the high-voltage power grid.

The core function of this project is to serve as a stabilizer and transporter for the power grid. When there is strong wind and abundant solar energy throughout Northern Ireland and Ireland, and low electricity demand, it will absorb a large amount of surplus green electricity and convert it into chemical energy storage; When there is no wind or the demand for electricity rises after sunset, it can stably release electricity at 100 megawatts of power within two hours. This process directly enhances the ability of the power grid to cope with real-time fluctuations in supply and demand, clearing technical barriers for a higher proportion of wind and photovoltaic grid integration, and is a key link in building a reliable power system under an integrated single electricity market.

The energy storage puzzle of SSE's clean energy layout

The implementation of the Drimian project is a microcosm of SSE Group's overall energy transformation strategy. About six months before announcing this decision, SSE initiated site preparation work for the Abelard wind farm in the Scottish Highlands. This series of actions clearly indicates that SSE's strategy is expanding from a single large-scale development of renewable energy generation to the coordinated deployment of power generation and energy storage. The battery energy storage system can effectively hedge the output fluctuations of wind and photovoltaic power, enhance the compatibility and market value of their power generation assets, and achieve a synergistic effect of 1+1>2. Keywords: Energy Storage Latest News, Energy Storage New Energy News

From a broader perspective, this project has multiple values for regional development. During the peak construction period, it will create about 30 full-time job opportunities and inject vitality into the local economy. More importantly, it supports the sustainable development and energy security goals of Northern Ireland and even the entire island of Ireland through practical actions. As Heather Donald, the onshore project director of SSE Renewable Energy in Ireland, has stated, such investments are an important practice in building a commitment to a flexible and resilient energy system. The advancement of the Drimian project marks Northern Ireland's active embrace of advanced energy technologies, steadily moving towards a safe and reliable energy future dominated by renewable energy through a dual wheel drive of market mechanisms and infrastructure upgrades.Editor/Cheng Liting