Elecnor has obtained two contracts from Statkraft for synchronous condenser deployment in Ireland and Northern Ireland, expanding the Spanish engineering company's total number of such installations on the island to four, reNEWS reports.

The awards strengthen Elecnor's alliance with Statkraft and double its participation in the grid stability programme. The contracts build on projects already under way in Glencloosagh and Coleraine as part of the Low Carbon Inertia Services initiative led by EirGrid and SONI, the transmission system operators.

One synchronous condenser will be deployed at Coolkeeragh in Northern Ireland alongside a 275/15 kV substation. Another will be installed at Quarry Lane in the Republic of Ireland alongside a 220/15 kV substation. These facilities provide inertia, reactive power and short-circuit power compensation to the grid to support 2030 climate and renewable energy targets.

Elecnor will retain the consortium structure used on previous contracts, with Elecnor Servicios y Proyectos leading operations alongside subsidiaries IQA Operations Group and ESYP. Synchronous condensers function as rotating machines that provide grid stability services without generating electricity, addressing technical challenges created by high renewable penetration.

The awards consolidate Elecnor's international position in synchronous condenser deployment across markets including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Brazil and Spain. The company's expanding portfolio reflects growing demand for grid stability equipment as electricity systems integrate larger shares of variable renewable generation.

Ireland's ambitious 2030 renewable energy targets require substantial grid reinforcement and stability solutions to accommodate increased wind and solar capacity whilst maintaining system security. Synchronous condensers represent one technical solution to maintaining grid frequency and voltage stability as conventional fossil fuel generators retire from the system.

Explore technical details and deployment timelines for Elecnor's Irish synchronous condenser portfolio in the full article.