SSE Launches Ireland’s First Ultra-Rapid EV Charging Hub
SSE has unveiled its first ultra-rapid public EV charging hub in Mullingar, a major milestone in boosting Ireland’s electric vehicle infrastructure.
Situated at Lough Sheever Corporate Park in County Westmeath, this new facility was inaugurated by Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
This development aligns with Ireland’s climate targets, highlighting the critical need for private investment in EV infrastructure to meet the nation’s ambitious sustainability goals.
Meeting Ireland’s climate and transport targets
At the launch event, Peter stressed the significance of expanding the EV charging network to achieve Ireland’s environmental objectives.
“To reduce transport emissions and meet our climate targets, the Government is committed to promoting and incentivising the use of EVs,” he said. “Private investment like this is essential to grow the network with the pace and scale required to meet Ireland’s ambitious targets.
“I am delighted SSE has selected Mullingar as the location of their first EV charging hub in Ireland.”
Advanced features of the Mullingar hub
Designed with the future of EV transportation in mind, the Mullingar hub offers advanced features, including ten ultra-rapid charging bays capable of delivering up to 150kW each, providing approximately 12.5km of range per minute of charging.
But what sets this hub apart is its accommodation for electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs). It includes four long-wheelbase drive-through bays specifically designed for eHGVs, making it the first of its kind in Ireland.
The hub’s user-friendly approach extends to payment methods, with Tap’n Go payments ensuring a seamless and convenient experience for customers. Additionally, SSE’s partnership with Octopus Electroverse guarantees that users can easily access a wide network of charging services, enhancing confidence in the availability and reliability of EV infrastructure across Ireland.
SSE’s broader EV infrastructure plans
The Mullingar hub is just the beginning of SSE’s ambitious plans to establish 300 ultra-rapid EV charging hubs across the UK and Ireland over the next five years. The company is already developing several other sites, including locations at Blanchardstown Business Park and Greenogue Industrial Estate in County Dublin and Ashbourne Retail Park in the UK.
Sean O’Callaghan, SSE’s EV Operations Director, underscored the company’s dedication to supporting Ireland’s transition to sustainable transport.
He said: “With the number of EVs on Irish roads proliferating, the deployment of fast and reliable EV charging infrastructure is essential.
“The launch of our first ultra-rapid charging hub in Ireland is proof that SSE will support the Irish government’s ambitions to meet the demand for this infrastructure and this is just the beginning of our ambitions.
“We are working to build a network of easy-to-reach charging points that will serve communities across Ireland.”
Looking ahead, SSE’s strategy includes a joint venture with TotalEnergies under the brand Source, which aims to become a leading player in the EV charging sector across the UK and Ireland. The joint venture plans to install up to 3,000 ultra-rapid charge points over the next five years, with existing SSE hubs set to be rebranded under the Source name.
SSE’s efforts to expand Ireland’s EV charging network are a significant contribution to the nation’s climate strategy, with the growing demand for sustainable transport set to play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions.
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