Gas Networks Ireland to connect Edenderry renewable complex to national grid

Gas Networks Ireland announced on April 2 its decision to connect Bord na Mona's Edenderry renewable energy complex to the national gas network. 

The grid connection will facilitate the integration of both natural gas and renewable gas, including biomethane and green hydrogen, into the fuel mix at the County Offaly renewable energy complex. Upon completion, this transmission connection project is expected to immediately reduce approximately 40% of CO₂ emissions at the County Offaly energy complex, which plays a crucial role in supporting the national energy grid during times of high demand by providing 116MW of electricity to help balance the intermittency of supply from other energy sources in the country.

The investment will involve the construction of a steel transmission pipeline, approximately 22km in length, connecting Bord na Mona's renewable energy complex in Edenderry to Ireland's gas network. Initially, the project will facilitate the transmission of natural gas, with a gradual transition to renewable gases over time.

"The gas network can be adapted to transport zero-carbon gases, such as green hydrogen. It has already transformed once, from carrying town gas to natural gas over 40 years ago, and more recently adapted to biomethane when it was first introduced onto the Irish network in 2019," Brian Sheehan, director of assets & infrastructure at Gas Networks Ireland, commented. 

The transmission connection project is currently in its preliminary planning and development phase, with construction expected to commence in 2027. The pipeline is anticipated to be fully operational by 2029,