Capital Dynamics, an independent global private asset manager, has agreed to partner with Solo Renewables to deliver a potential £100m Long Duration Energy Storage (“LDES”) system in Northern Ireland. Once operational, and assuming one discharge per day, the project will be able to provide the energy used by up to 36,000 households per day[1].
Located in Islandmagee, the project received planning approval from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in February 2026, just six months after submission. The 150MW project can provide up to eight-hour of storage capacity equivalent to 1,200MWh and is among the first large-scale LDES storage sites to be developed in the Irish Single Electricity Market.
With recent and anticipated regulatory developments, including the Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG), encouraging further investment in wind and solar generation across Northern Ireland, energy storage is expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting the integration of renewable power into the grid. While short-duration Battery Energy Storage (“BESS”) projects already contribute to grid stability, under refined regulatory conditions, longer-duration storage can provide critical additional flexibility to help manage variability in renewable generation and support a secure and reliable electricity system.
As more renewable generation capacity comes online, additional flexibility will be required to support a grid that is already experiencing rising curtailment rates. Long-duration storage can help provide greater system balance by storing excess electricity when supply is high and releasing it when it is needed most. The project is designed to contribute to these efforts by providing significant large-scale storage capacity that can support the grid stability that is essential to support the local economy and community.
With planning approval secured for the Islandmagee LDES, attention now turns to next steps. Capital Dynamics and Solo Renewables are committed to working constructively with all relevant authorities and stakeholders to progress the Islandmagee LDES as quickly as possible.
Barney Coles, Senior Managing Director and Co-Head of Clean Energy at Capital Dynamics, commented: “Long-duration storage has a critical role to play in supporting Northern Ireland’s energy transition and is a fast and efficient way to strengthen grid resilience as renewable generation continues to grow. Projects such as this can provide additional flexibility to help manage renewable variability, support grid stability and improve the overall efficiency of the electricity system.
“The Islandmagee LDES project represents an important step in developing the long-duration storage infrastructure needed to support Northern Ireland’s evolving energy system. We look forward to working with Solo Renewables, our partners and with the system operator to help enable infrastructure that supports a reliable, secure and increasingly low-carbon energy system for Northern Ireland.”
Andrew Hutchinson, Director at Solo Renewables, said: "Securing planning approval in six months reflects the strength of this project and the local understanding that Islandmagee is one of the most strategically important locations in the all-island energy network.
"Northern Ireland has great potential to create and use more renewable electricity locally. This will be a good thing for homes and businesses across the region but can only happen if we increase our ability to store wind and solar energy that can't be used at the time it's produced.
"We're pleased Capital Dynamics sees the potential of the Islandmagee LDES project and we're looking forward to delivering a landmark storage facility that supports the energy transition."
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About Capital Dynamics
Capital Dynamics is an independent global asset management firm focusing on private assets, including private equity (primaries, secondaries and direct investments) and clean energy.
Established in 1988, the Firm has extensive knowledge and experience developing solutions tailored to meet the exacting needs of a diverse and global client base of institutional and private wealth investors. Capital Dynamics oversees more than USD 15 billion in assets under management and advisement[2], and employs approximately 150 professionals[3] globally across 13 offices in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Capital Dynamics is a recognized industry leader in responsible investment, receiving top marks (Five Stars) from PRI across all categories and investment strategies, as well as in GRESB benchmarking for its clean energy strategy.
For more information, please visit: www.capdyn.com
About Solo Renewables
Solo Renewables is a Northern Ireland–based renewable energy developer operating across the UK and Ireland. The company delivers solar and battery projects from early site identification through financing, planning and consenting, and full‑cycle project development. Solo Renewables works with landowners, communities and local authorities to bring forward projects that support regional decarbonisation and a secure, affordable energy system.
[1] Figure is for an average household’s energy usage as per Ofcom 2020
[2] As of December 31, 2025. Assets under Management are calculated based on the total commitments as of the final closing date for all funds currently managed by Capital Dynamics, including amounts that have been distributed. Assets under Advisement includes assets for which Capital Dynamics provides services such as reporting, monitoring and risk management.
[3] Includes all full-time and part-time employees, as well as essential functions performed by temporary staff and long-term consultants