SSE Invites Community Input on 120 MW Tinnycross Battery Plan

• SSE Renewables starts public consultations for its 120 MW/240 MWh Tinnycross BESS in County Offaly, inviting local feedback ahead of a revised planning application.

SSE Renewables has officially launched public consultations for its Tinnycross battery energy storage system in County Offaly, Ireland. The 120 MW/240 MWh greenfield project—formerly known as Thornsberry BESS—will store excess renewable power and feed it back into the grid during peak demand, helping to smooth out intermittent wind and solar generation.

Located just northeast of Tullamore, Tinnycross was acquired from Low Carbon in November 2024. SSE will submit an updated planning application to Offaly County Council later this year, reflecting community feedback and refined design details. An open-house event on May 8 will give local residents a chance to review plans, ask questions, and share their views in person. For those unable to attend, project documents and an online feedback form will be available from May 8 through May 29 on the Tinnycross project website.

“We want Tinnycross to deliver real benefits for Offaly,” said an SSE spokesperson. “By engaging early and often, we can address local concerns and ensure the project sits comfortably within the landscape.” Once approved and funded, SSE aims to make a final investment decision and begin construction, targeting a commercial operation date by the end of the decade.

When live, the Tinnycross facility will have enough capacity to power over 115,000 homes for up to two hours during grid stress events. Beyond bolstering Ireland’s goal of 80 percent renewable electricity by 2030, the battery will reduce reliance on fossil-fuel peaker plants, cut carbon emissions, and enhance grid resilience.

SSE has already rolled out several BESS installations across the UK and Ireland this year, and Tinnycross represents its largest planned system on the island. The developer also plans to work with local schools and training centers to build skills in battery technology, while landowners hosting the site will receive long-term lease payments. Following commissioning, SSE will explore further community investments, from infrastructure upgrades to environmental initiatives.

As Ireland ramps up renewable deployment, large-scale storage projects like Tinnycross are becoming indispensable. SSE’s thorough consultation process aims to give communities a genuine voice, ensuring that this cornerstone of Ireland’s clean-energy future is shaped by those who will live alongside it.