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Overview

Silvermines Hydro is a project that will repurpose an old mine site into a major clean energy facility in Ireland. It will be the second pumped storage power station in the country, following the Turlough Hill station opened in 1974 by ESB.

Repurposing an old mine into a major energy source

Pumped Hydro technology is widely recognised as a clean, safe, and reliable method for both storing and generating electricity. It works by using two water reservoirs at different heights. Water is pumped from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir when there is excess electricity. When electricity is needed, the water flows back down through turbines to generate power.

This technology is trusted around the world for its effectiveness in balancing supply and demand, making it a key component in many national electricity transmission systems.

Mr. Richard Thompson, Partner Foresight Group, Mr. Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment, Climate, and Communications, and Mr. Darren Quinn, Managing Director Siga-Hydro Limited.

For Silvermines Hydro, the existing mine pit will be used as the lower reservoir, and a new reservoir will be built higher up  the mountain to serve as the upper reservoir. Water is transferred between the two reservoirs using large pipes that are partially buried in the ground. This setup allows water to be stored in the upper reservoir and then released to generate electricity on demand. The generated electricity will be sent through underground cables to the transmission grid.

Stored and then released to generate electricity on demand