The Northern Ireland electricity grid operator has announced the award of two major contracts which it says will be “crucial” to the region’s net zero goals.
SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) awarded the projects in Coleraine and Coolkeeragh to renewable energy generator Statkraft, following a competitive procurement process.
The technology required for the contracts is used to maintain a stable electricity grid while operating with higher levels of renewable energy.
SONI said the technology would help integrate more renewable energy sources by providing the “inertia capabilities” needed to keep the power system stable.
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Alan Campbell, chief executive of SONI, said: “This is a hugely significant milestone on our journey to decarbonise Northern Ireland’s power system and marks the delivery of a crucial aspect our operational roadmap.
“To meet our collective renewable energy ambitions, Northern Ireland’s electricity grid, and how it’s operated, has to be transformed at an unprecedented scale, pace and level of complexity.
“Decarbonising our energy system is about more than the amount of renewable electricity generated by wind and solar farms. We also need the technologies and services to be able to operate the grid securely.
“These technologies will enable us to integrate and use significantly more renewable electricity in the future while maintaining a safe, stable and reliable of electricity for homes, farms and businesses across Northern Ireland…
“As Northern Ireland’s electricity grid operator, we welcome this investment from Statkraft in supporting a cleaner, more secure energy future for everyone in Northern Ireland.”
Kevin O’Donovan, MD of Statkraft Ireland and UK, said the contracts will involve developing machines known as synchronous compensators to keep the electricity grid stable, even when a lot of renewable energy is being used.
“This means we can turn off fossil-fuel power stations when there’s enough renewable energy to meet demand, reducing the need for fossil fuels and using more of Northern Ireland’s natural resources,” he said.