ESB and dCarbonX have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the joint assessment and development of offshore green hydrogen subsurface storage in Ireland. This partnership is seen as another milestone in Ireland’s emerging hydrogen economy as part of its transition to a low-carbon future.
Under the agreement, ESB and dCarbonX will work together on licencing, environmental studies, site selection, project sanctioning, offshore infrastructure development, commissioning and operations in areas that are adjacent to ESB’s existing and planned future infrastructure.
This partnership covers all subsea energy storage offshore in Ireland and will also support the creation of a proposed new ‘Green Hydrogen Valley’ centred around the Poolbeg peninsula in Dublin, which will enable green hydrogen production and storage that can be used to decarbonise heavy transport, shipping, industry and power generation.
Ireland’s clean energy transition requires a balance of solutions which includes the production of green hydrogen. Tony O’Reilly, dCarbonX CEO, commented: “The large-scale underground storage of green hydrogen is the critical element in Ireland’s fully exploiting its significant indigenous wind energy resources both for domestic consumption and overseas export.”
The large-scale storage of green hydrogen is considered to be a cornerstone of future low carbon, resilient and reliable energy sectors, Storing green hydrogen at scale in subsurface offshore caverns is considered to be a safe and cost-effective solution, enabling the large-scale deployment of intermittent renewable energy whilst also improving national security of supply and reducing system energy losses.
