ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 11 I nLdE Du sVt Ar yNNC eE w s Ireland’s first hybridised grid-stabilisation system Ireland’s first hybridised gridstabilisation system was officially opened recently by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Shannonbridge, Co Offaly. The Shannonbridge B Synchronous Condenser and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which helps to significantly improve Ireland’s energy security and enhances grid resilience, is a state-of-the-art development completed earlier this year. The project was developed by Lumcloon Energy, an Irish company focused on supporting Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon electricity system, and its partner Hanwha Group — a global leader The state-of-the-art development has the capability to export 20MW of electricity for 9 hours, significantly improving Ireland’s energy security and enhancing grid resilience. delivering large-scale, technologydriven solutions across energy, aerospace, maritime, and defence. At a special ribbon-cutting ceremony in Shannonbridge, Co Offaly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin formally opened the hybridised grid-stabilisation project, which comprises a 4,000 MVA Synchronous Condenser and a 180MW battery storage system with capacity to export up to 20MW of electricity to the national grid for 9 hours. The Synchronous Condenser technology involves a generator linked to a flywheel and possesses the capacity to store energy. This stored energy can be harnessed to mitigate frequency variations, improve system inertia and enhance grid stability. In addition, the BESS system is equipped to store surplus renewable energy, which can be released as needed onto the national grid. The Shannonbridge B system is situated adjacent to the 220kV Shannonbridge transmission station, which allows the dual technology project to enhance the dependability of renewable energy sources and enhance grid system stability. Construction work first commenced on the hybrid project in 2023 and was completed in the second half of 2025. Trade Electric Group acquires Mullingar Electrical Wholesale to strengthen national footprint Trade Electric Group has acquired Midlandsbased distributor Mullingar Electrical Wholesale in a move that significantly expands its national presence and reinforces its position as the largest Irish-owned electrical wholesale business in the Republic. Founded in Limerick in 1971, Trade Electric Group is led by Managing Director Fergal Costelloe and operates a growing branch network across the country. The company currently has locations in Dublin (Stillorgan, Tallaght and Santry), Cork, Kilkenny, Killarney, Limerick (Limerick City and Newcastle West), Nenagh in Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. Deal positions the business as the largest Irish-owned electrical wholesale group in the Republic. Mullingar Electrical Wholesale operates four branches in Mullingar, Longford, Tullamore and Dundalk and employs 35 staff. The business is led by Peadar Conlon. Following completion of the deal, Trade Electric Group will operate 15 branches nationwide and employ approximately 120 people. Combined turnover of the businesses will exceed €60 million. Commenting on the acquisition, Fergal Costelloe said the deal strengthens the group’s position in a sector that has attracted increasing interest from internationally backed operators. “This sector has seen growing interest from internationally backed firms, so we are delighted to strengthen our position as an Irishowned champion in the sector,” he said. “Mullingar Electrical Wholesale is a fine business and we look forward to working with Peadar and his team on the integration. We will also continue to look out for other opportunities to acquire likeminded firms and consolidate our position in this market.” Peadar Conlon and Fergal Costelloe.
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