Renewable energy firm announce €200m. investment in Mayo

Mercury Renewables, a renewable energy company based in both Mayo and the UK, is announcing a €200 million investment in a remote site in north east Mayo for a combined wind farm and hydrogen electrolyser development.

The project, known as Firlough, will produce environmentally friendly Green Hydrogen through a process called electrolysis which uses renewable energy provided by the on-site wind farm to split water into hydrogen and oxygen with no emissions or harmful bye products.

In partnership with DCU and MaREI, Mercury Renewables has concluded a 12 month feasibility study investigating the use of Green Hydrogen in the transportation sector.

Mercury is now establishing a consortium of public and private entities to foster a hydrogen transport ecosystem in Ireland with Mayo at the epicentre of production.

Once operational, Firlough will produce enough green hydrogen to fuel the ongoing need of 1,000 fuel cell heavy goods vehicles.

In addition to HGVs, Mercury is looking to power agricultural machinery, buses, construction plant and trains.

The wide-ranging potential use cases for hydrogen are expected to act as a catalyst to attract new business to the region, potentially creating hundreds of new jobs, primarily in the north Mayo area.

The project represents a significant step forward in establishing an Irish Green Hydrogen economy, with Mayo at the forefront.

Mercury Renewables has commenced a community engagement programme with locally based liaison officers beginning to visit residents this week.

The company is seeking feedback from stakeholders on all aspects of the windfarm and hydrogen electrolyzer and will launch an online public consultation forum today (Friday).

Between 100 to 150 jobs will be created during construction, ranging from engineering, skilled labour, plant operatives health and safety and site management jobs.

Whilst between 10 to 20 further full time and part time jobs are expected to be created upon completion of the project.

The company plans on establishing apprenticeship schemes for electricians, logistics management, health and safety officers and other technical specialties and where possible will look to local suppliers of goods and services throughout the development, construction and operation of the project.

Management at Mercury Renewables hope the project will be completed by early 2025.

Once fully operational, contributions to a local community fund and other local initiatives are expected to be approximately €500,000 per year and will be administrated by an independent board.

Mercury Renewables CEO John Duffy, whose family are from the area, said: “We see huge possibilities for this project to attract industry and inward investment to the nearby towns and businesses.

"Our focus is on decarbonising the transportation sector, however, Green Hydrogen can also be used to provide baseload renewable energy when the wind isn’t blowing.

"The Green Hydrogen produced by Firlough could be used to provide the power needs equivalent to 3 Hollister factories.

"This development will contribute significantly to the area and the wider north-west region, contributing to the supply of Ireland’s energy needs from Irish sources as we approach an already well publicised challenging period for energy supply especially for industry.

"As a pioneer in Irish Green Hydrogen production, we want to expand the technical knowledge and skillsets of the local workforce that will develop within the new hydrogen economy.

"We are working with DCU to help foster research in this technology across a broad range of disciplines including engineering, data science and climate sustainability.

“We are an expert team with a local presence in the west of Ireland and deep family connections to the region.

"We believe in supporting the local community through our business efforts and hope to encourage long term job creation through our renewable energy development activities as well as inward investment in the west of Ireland.

"Our team draws on nearly 40 years of renewable energy development and 35 years of property development experience. We draw on this background to ensure our projects are developed in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.

“We understand the economic value a project like Firlough can bring to the local community through the procurement of materials locally and the use of local services.

"We are developing our apprenticeship programme at present and welcome input from members of the community.

"We see the hydrogen electrolyser as providing the people of Co. Mayo with the prospect of obtaining skills in an industry that is expected to see significant growth across the globe.

"We have an opportunity to build a regional centre of excellence around the technical skills required to install and operate a Green Hydrogen electrolyser directly connected to a wind farm.

"Hydrogen is often identified as a natural complement with offshore wind. Firlough allows for the development of those skills and competencies onshore before deploying them at larger scale offshore.

"The skills developed via an apprenticeship programme will be invaluable as Ireland, Europe and the rest of the world turn towards hydrogen to decarbonise the energy systems of the future,”.

Mercury Renewables already has planning permission for 21 wind turbines at the Firlough site near Bonniconlon.

However, due to the enormous potential for Green Hydrogen production in the region, the company has now been decided to seek planning for the electrolyzer plant with fewer wind turbines.

Revised plans are for 13 next generation wind turbines, directly powering the Green Hydrogen electrolyzer.

As part of the revised planning application, Mercury is launching a public consultation process and will be liaising closely with the local community to maintain open and transparent lines of communication.