Call for Evidence for Hydrogen Geological Storage Development in Ireland

The aim of this consultation is to gather evidence to gather information from parties considering, planning, or actively developing geological hydrogen storage projects in Ireland. This call for evidence supports the implementation of Ireland's National Hydrogen Strategy (Actions 9 and 10), particularly the strategic objectives relating to energy system flexibility, security of supply, long-duration energy storage, and the integration of renewable electricity.

The information gathered will help inform future policy development, regulatory design, spatial planning, and infrastructure coordination to support the emergence of a safe, secure, and commercially viable hydrogen economy in line with Ireland’s climate and energy targets.

Ireland's National Hydrogen Strategy recognises renewable hydrogen as a strategic energy vector to support decarbonisation of industry, enhance power system flexibility, and enable large-scale integration of renewable electricity, particularly offshore wind. The amount of hydrogen storage which will be required in Ireland will be dependent on a number of factors in terms of the scale of hydrogen development, the end-users it is applied to and strategic decisions on energy storage and security. Geological storage of hydrogen is expected to play a critical enabling role by providing seasonal and strategic storage capacity and by mitigating intermittency and curtailment risks associated with high penetrations of variable renewable generation.

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) is also progressing a suite of complementary policies relevant to geological hydrogen storage, including the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy and the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) framework and Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs). Geological hydrogen storage projects, particularly those located offshore or within sedimentary basins, may present opportunities for shared subsurface data, infrastructure synergies, coordinated consenting approaches, or phased development alongside other energy projects.

This call for evidence seeks information that will assist DCEE in understanding how prospective geological hydrogen storage developments may align with, or interact with, these wider policy frameworks and spatial planning processes. It will support the development of a roadmap to deliver the required legislative regime for underground storage of hydrogen.

This roadmap will provide a clear pathway for regulatory and legislative changes that will enable the safe exploration, development, and operation of underground hydrogen storage facilities in support of Ireland’s climate and energy security objectives.

The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm on Friday, 17 July 2026.

Submissions should be submitted by email to hydrogenconsultation@dcee.gov.ie or by post to:

Hydrogen Geological Storage Development Consultation

Hydrogen Policy Team

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Tom Johnson House

Haddington Road

Dublin 4

D04 K7X4

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner.

Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. We will consider all submissions and feedback before we publish the final version of the relevant publications.

Your response to this consultation is subject to:

• the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI)
• the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE)
• the Data Protection Act 2018

Publishing of responses

We intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact (remove) personal data before publication.

Please indicate any sensitive information

In responding to this consultation, clearly indicate where your response contains any information which you would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

This can include:

• personal information
• commercially sensitive information
• confidential information

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