FuturEnergy Ireland has announced plans to develop a battery energy storage facility in East Donegal.
The Lettermore Energy Storage project is located within the townlands of Lettermore and Aughkeely, west of Drumkeen.
FuturEnergy Ireland is a wind energy developer, established in 2021 as a stand-alone joint venture between Coillte and the ESB.
FuturEnergy Ireland says as Ireland continues to increase the amount of electricity generated from its renewable sources such as wind and solar, long-duration energy storage will play an increasingly important role in ensuring that clean energy can be stored and used when it is needed.
They say analysis indicates that multi-day energy storage could reduce wasted power and lower energy generation costs by more than 25% annually.
This week, the company is delivering an introductory newsletter to homes adjacent to the proposed site, including a site study and projected timelines.
FuturEnergy Ireland says it is committed to engaging closely with the local community throughout the development process, and exploring opportunities for local economic and educational benefits.
As part of the planning process, a range of environmental and technical assessments will be undertaken in the coming weeks, with the company intending to make a planning application in the final quarter of this year.
More details HERE
You can read the newsletter HERE
Release in full –
Innovative multi-day battery project proposed to support the clean energy transition
FuturEnergy Ireland has announced the launch of a new project, Lettermore Energy
Storage. This renewable energy project is located within the townlands of Lettermore and
Aughkeely, west of Drumkeen in east Co. Donegal.
The critical role to be played by battery storage projects in the clean energy transition is now
widely recognised. As Ireland continues to increase the amount of electricity generated from
its renewable sources such as wind and solar, long-duration energy storage will play an
increasingly important role in ensuring that clean energy can be stored and used when it is
needed. Projects such as Lettermore Energy Storage can maximise our use of home-grown
renewable energy, stabilise energy costs and improve energy security by reducing our
reliance on imported fossil fuels, thereby supporting Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon
energy system.
Analysis indicates that integrating multi-day energy storage into Ireland's 2030 portfolio
could reduce wasted power and lower energy generation costs by more than 25% annually.
This week, Shane Lowry, the project’s Community Engagement Manager, is delivering an
introductory newsletter to homes adjacent to the proposed site, and will be the point of
contact information on the project The Lettermore newsletter, which includes a site study
area and timelines, is also available at www.lettermoreenergystorage.ie.
The Lettermore project is being designed to use iron-air battery technology. FuturEnergy
Ireland has partnered with Form Energy, whose iron-air batteries are capable of storing
energy for up to 100 hours compared with existing technologies limited to two to eight hours.
This means that when fully charged, this system can discharge power across several days at
a time to power homes, industries, transport, devices and critical services when we need it
most.
Joseph Kelly, LDES Development Manager at FuturEnergy Ireland, says: “Long-duration
energy storage is a key piece of the puzzle in achieving a cleaner, more secure energy
future for Ireland. Iron-air batteries can store renewable energy for days at a time, helping to
ensure that clean electricity is available when homes, businesses and essential services
need it most.
“Lettermore Energy Storage demonstrates our commitment to developing innovative energy
solutions that support Ireland’s climate targets, strengthen energy security and stabilise
energy costs for homeowners and businesses alike.”
Lettermore is the second battery storage project in the FuturEnergy Ireland portfolio.
FuturEnergy Ireland is committed to engaging closely with the local community throughout
the development process and exploring opportunities for local economic and educational
benefits.
As part of the planning process, a range of environmental and technical assessments will be
undertaken to inform the final project design. The project company, FuturEnergy Lettermore
DAC, intends to make a planning application in Q4 2026.
