REFURBISHMENT WORKS at Ireland's only pumped storage hydroelectricity plant
near the Wicklow Gap are near completion.
The €76 million works are considered of the upmost importance in the development of sustainable renewable energy potential of Ireland.
Turlough Hill has been in operation for over 40 years and the construction of the ESB station involved the building of a massive cavern in the heart of the mountains to house the generation plant and controls. The construction stage took six years.
A pumped storage system allows for the use of excess electricity capacity during non-peak hours (mainly wind power) to pump water from the lower to the Upper lake. The water is then released in the reverse direction in times of maximum demand, making extra electricity available immediately unlike a conventional oil or gas generating station.
Deputy Andrew Doyle visited the station last Tuesday and has welcomed the near completion of the refurbishment works, the first major upgrade in its history.
The €76 million works are considered of the upmost importance in the development of sustainable renewable energy potential of Ireland.
Turlough Hill has been in operation for over 40 years and the construction of the ESB station involved the building of a massive cavern in the heart of the mountains to house the generation plant and controls. The construction stage took six years.
A pumped storage system allows for the use of excess electricity capacity during non-peak hours (mainly wind power) to pump water from the lower to the Upper lake. The water is then released in the reverse direction in times of maximum demand, making extra electricity available immediately unlike a conventional oil or gas generating station.
Deputy Andrew Doyle visited the station last Tuesday and has welcomed the near completion of the refurbishment works, the first major upgrade in its history.
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