Green light for ESB plan to boost supply from Mayo wind energy site

AN ESB proposal for a synchronous condenser/flywheel at its site in Bellacorrick to stabilise delivery of wind energy supplies has been given the go-ahead by planners.

It will be housed within a new warehouse building at the site of the former peat plant station, which was demolished in 2007.

A council planning report sets out how the technology will be linked into the existing 110kV ESB substation adjacent to the site.

The requirement for synchronous condensers on the transmission system has increased as a result of increasing generation from renewables, in particular wind.

This renewable source is intermittent in nature and can lead to instability on the transmission system (EirGrid). The condensers compensate for this and provide the required stability.

In granting permission, planners noted that Bellacorrick was the site of the first ever commercial wind farm in Ireland back in 1992.

The area has expanded into one of the country's largest wind renewable energy sites, with further plans for additional wind farms in the general area.

As such, a synchronous condenser that regulates and maximises the intermittent energy source that is wind was considered acceptable.

The technology was location dependent, sited in close proximity to both Oweninny wind farm and the ESB 110kV substation in Bellacorrick.