Gigascale offshore wind-powered green hydrogen hub unveiled for Ireland
Industrial 'next step' for developer EI-H2's megaproject, with Zenith Energy signing up to develop site in Bantry Bay next to existing oil terminal
Irish clean-energy developer EI-H2 has unveiled plans to build a vast 3.2GW green hydrogen and ammonia generation plant powered by future offshore wind farms off the west coast of country.
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EI-H2 and Zenith Energy have kicked off a year-long feasibility study in advance of an application for planning permission, with the new facility, to be located next to the Bantry Bay oil terminal in County Cork, in the frame to up and running by 2028.
“This partnership is an excellent opportunity for our Bantry operations, for the local community and for Ireland as a country,” said Ellen Ruhotas, managing director of Zenith Energy.
“For many years now, our operation on Whiddy Island [a small outcrop on which the Banty Bay oil storage tanks are installed] has supported the security of Ireland’s energy supply. This new joint venture will see [us] take a pioneering role in the development of a new green energy industry for Ireland.
“With a renewable source of offshore wind and water, we can produce real fuel alternatives to help industry and commercial customers reduce their carbon footprint.
“Ireland needs to think big to realise its green potential, and this project is of the scale required to develop this new industry.”
Pearse Flynn, founder of EI-H2, said: “Ireland is on the cusp of a genuine green revolution. Instead of waiting for someone else to decarbonise our country, we are looking to develop domestic ways of making a real difference.
“With a renewable source of offshore wind and water, we can produce real fuel alternatives to help industry and commercial customers reduce their carbon footprint.
“Ireland needs to think big to realise its green potential, and this project is of the scale required to develop this new industry.”
Bantry Bay, where Zenith currently runs a 19-tank offloading site for tankers transporting crude oil, gas and various fossil fuels, has been “strategically chosen” as the location for a new hydrogen/ammonia facility “given its proximity to some of the most productive offshore locations for wind-generated electricity”, he added.
The first phase of the project will involved construction of a scalable green hydrogen production facility, up to 2.7GW in capacity, with a 500MW ammonia facility to added in phase two.
Gas Networks Ireland’s head of technical competency and standards, Liam Nolan, said: “Hydrogen will play a key role in meeting Ireland’s climate action targets. Our national gas network is considered one of the safest and most modern gas networks in Europe, reliably powering more than 30% of Ireland’s total primary energy needs, 40% of our heating and 50% of all our electricity generation.
“Gradually replacing natural gas with renewable gases, such as locally produced biomethane and hydrogen, is vital to ensuring Ireland’s long-term energy security and net-zero ambitions in an affordable and sustainable way, in line with Irish and European policy.