ESB plans to build 'demonstration' hydrogen plant in Cork

The ESB has been granted conditional planning permission to build a hydrogen-production facility on 0.56 hectares in Aghada.

The utility plans to use the demonstration facility to illustrate how renewable energy can be produced through hydrogen.

Hydrogen power is produced by the electrolysis of water.

While its supporters claim it could revolutionise clean energy as it eliminates emissions by using renewable energy, its critics say it’s an inefficient way to produce power.

It wouldn’t be a permanent facility as it is only intended to operate for a maximum of five years. It would include a 1-megawatt electrolyser, including a water-purification unit, a transformer, and control-unit container, and other ancillary facilities and equipment.

After the five years, it will be decommissioned, all the equipment and facilities removed, and the contractor’s compound area reinstated to its current condition.

The granting of planning permission by Cork County Council was welcomed by a spokesman for the ESB, in response to a query from The Echo.

“This facility will be used for hydrogen production via electrolysis, storage, usage on-site via fuel-cell, and transport offsite to other sector hydrogen users.

“This will be for an operational period of up to five years,” said the ESB representative.

“Hydrogen produced from renewable electricity will play a critical role in the decarbonisation of many sectors.

“ESB plans to use our existing capabilities and future renewable growth to become a leading player in large-scale renewable hydrogen production, thereby enabling dispatchable, zero-carbon electricity generation to support our renewables-based energy system, in line with our ‘Net Zero by 2040’ strategy and to meet the energy requirements of Ireland’s future zero-carbon economy.”