Bord Gáis joins project to store gas and hydrogen in decommissioned Kinsale field

A crane ship working on the decommissioning of the Kinsale gas fields in July 2022 after production of natural gas at the Kinsale Head gas field, ceased after 42 years. Picture: David Creedon

Bord Gáis has joined ESB and dCarbonX in a project to re-develop the decommissioned gas reservoirs at the Kinsale Head gas field for large-scale green hydrogen energy storage.

The Kestrel Project will initially focus on the storage of natural gas, ultimately transitioning to green hydrogen. 

Since early 2021, ESB and dCarbonX, an associate company to gas-infrastructure firm Snam, have been working together in terms of the assessment and development of Irish offshore green hydrogen subsurface storage opportunities.

John O’Sullivan, COO dCarbonX; Marguerite Sayers, Deputy Chief Executive, ESB; Dave Kirwan, MD Bord Gáis Energy. Picture: Andres Poveda

Both ESB and Bord Gáis Energy operate significant electrical generation capacity at their onshore Aghada and Whitegate gas-fired power stations in Cork. The integration of large-scale storage will support the transition of these stations to net zero emissions in the future.

The recently published National Hydrogen Strategy has identified that long-duration storage is essential to the future cost competitiveness and price resilience of hydrogen and that geological storage solutions will be needed to support this.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bord Gáis Energy will join ESB and dCarbonX (Snam) in the project on a co-equal basis.

Dave Kirwan, Managing Director, Bord Gáis Energy said decarbonising Ireland’s energy system while maintaining security of supply is critical in the context of our growing economy. 

"As we help to deliver the green transition, there will be an ever-increasing role for gas and ultimately green hydrogen and we are delighted to partner with ESB and dCarbonX and deliver the infrastructure for a greener future."

"Together with the support of Centrica, we have the skills, vision and financial backing to help Ireland achieve its ambitious Climate Action Plan targets.”