ESB submits plan for hydrogen production facility in Cork Harbour

Papers were lodged with Cork County Council earlier this month for the development of a hydrogen project at the existing ESB generating station at Aghada. File Picture: Denis Scannell

ESB has lodged a planning application for its first major hydrogen project in Cork that it says can help play a “critical role” in Ireland achieving net-zero in the coming years.

Papers were lodged with Cork County Council earlier this month for the development at the existing ESB generating station at Aghada, on the eastern side of Cork Harbour.

While it is only a “small-scale generation project”, ESB said it will be the first step in its wider plans to create a “hydrogen lighthouse around Ireland”.

Green hydrogen produces energy through electrolysis of water, while eliminating emissions by using renewable energy. Supporters of its use say it could completely revolutionise clean energy while detractors claim it is too cumbersome and costly to achieve on the mass scale required.

ESB said the site intended for the hydrogen production facility is based over half a hectare of grassed undeveloped area at its site in Aghada, and will only be used for five years as a means to demonstrate how green hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy.

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A report by KPMG to support its planning bid said that the proposed facility is ESB's “initial step in demonstrating the viability of green hydrogen projects into the future”.

The report said it is hoped the five-year project can increase the in-house knowledge of hydrogen and demonstrate the new technology to multiple stakeholders.

“The Government has identified that the use of green hydrogen, particularly in hard to abate sectors such as aviation, long-distance transport, and power generation will play a critical role in achieving a net-zero carbon energy system in Ireland," it said.

Last July, the Government published its long-awaited national hydrogen strategy for Ireland. It was one of the last countries in Europe to publish a national plan of this kind, despite being said to be in prime position to take advantage of an industry still in its infancy.

“Our wind resources are amongst the best in the world. Using these resources to create hydrogen, and targeting it towards those sectors which are considered hard to decarbonise, will be integral part in ensuring the decarbonisation and security of our energy system into the future," Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said. 

Ireland can become a green hydrogen powerhouse from our renewable energy potential.

Submissions to the planning application can be made until February 13, while a decision by Cork County Council is set for March.

This story was updated on January 31, 2024. An earlier version of this story referred to ESB as ESB Networks.