Kestrel is a joint venture between ESB Generation and Trading (ESB GT), Bord Gáis Energy, and dCarbonX, created to deliver large-scale energy storage using proven infrastructure and private capital.
ESB operates across the electricity market, from generation through transmission and distribution, to supply of customers in addition to using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications. ESB is a leading Irish utility with a regulated asset base of approximately €10.9 billion (comprising ESB Networks €8.8 billion and NIE Networks €2.1 billion), a 33% share of generation in the all-island market, and retail businesses supplying electricity and gas to over 1.9 million customer accounts throughout the island of Ireland and Great Britain.
Bord Gáis Energy has been powering progress in Ireland for over 50 years and is one of the country’s leading energy services and solutions companies, and is part of Centrica plc since 2014. Bord Gáis Energy provides gas, electricity and home services to more than 715,000 residential and business customers nationwide. The company is supporting Ireland’s energy transition through investment in critical infrastructure, renewable energy and innovative energy solutions. As part of Centrica, Bord Gáis Energy benefits from the scale, expertise and capabilities of an international energy company operating across the energy value chain, including strategic energy infrastructure such as Rough, the UK’s largest gas storage facility.
dCarbonX is a pioneering asset focused GeoEnergy company established to develop subsurface assets for energy storage and for the sequestration of CO2. Operating in both the United Kingdom and Ireland, dCarbonX is backed by Snam, a leading European operator in gas infrastructure, and focuses on development opportunities for underground storage of natural gas and hydrogen, and carbon sequestration.
Snam is currently the majority shareholder of dCarbonX, providing technical support for dCarbonX molecular storage projects. Snam operates around 38,000 km of gas pipeline in Italy and abroad; storage, with one-sixth of the entire capacity of the European Union; and regasification, where it is currently the third largest European player.
Paul is the Project Director for Kestrel, a joint venture company developing the Kinsale Gas Field for natural gas security of supply and future hydrogen storage. Paul holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Engineering Design from UCD, and an MBA.
With 37 years of experience in Ireland’s energy sector, Paul spent the first 15 years in ESB’s power plant operations management team, followed by 10 years in ESB’s Electric Ireland retail business. For the past 12 years, he has managed commercial projects across multiple aspects of the power generation business. Paul is ESB’s Hydrogen Manager, focusing on the development of utility-scale hydrogen projects.
Aodhán McAleer is a Director of Kestrel Energy Storage and a Senior Manager within ESB’s Generation and Trading business. With more than 20 years’ experience across the energy sector, he has held leadership roles spanning strategy, energy trading, thermal generation, hydro operations and renewable energy development. Aodhán has led the development and delivery of major energy infrastructure and renewable energy projects across Ireland and the UK, overseeing projects through origination, consenting, commercial structuring and investment approval. He is focused on advancing low-carbon energy solutions and supporting the transition to a secure and sustainable energy system.
ESB I Senior Manager – Commercial, Asset Development
Jim is a Director of Kestrel Energy Storage and a Senior Manager within ESB’s Generation and Trading business, responsible for the commercial section within the Asset Development function. A chartered accountant with over 25 years’ experience in the energy sector, Jim has held senior finance roles across ESB and has served as a board member on a number of ESB Joint Venture companies in Ireland and the UK. Most recently Jim was CFO of FuturEnergy Ireland, a start-up ESB/Coillte Joint Venture where he was responsible for the establishment of the finance function.
John Dalton is Country Manager and Director of Trading at Bord Gáis Energy, leading operations and driving the company’s vision for a greener, fairer future.
Since joining Centrica in 2012, John has held senior roles across Finance and Energy Markets, moving to Bord Gáis Energy in 2014 and becoming CFO in 2017. In that role, he shaped strategy and growth before transitioning to Director of Trading in 2023 to expand gas and power trading as the business moves toward net zero.
John is a Chartered Accountant with a Master’s in Financial Services and a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers.
Bord Gáis Energy I Director of Development at Centrica Power
Denis O’Sullivan is Director of Development at Centrica Power, leading the company’s investment and growth strategy across its European portfolio of conventional, renewable, nuclear and energy storage assets. He joined Centrica in 2023 following senior leadership roles at Ervia, including Networks Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer.
With more than 20 years’ experience delivering major infrastructure projects, Denis has led investments ranging from Bord Gáis Energy’s wind portfolio ahead of its 2014 sale to Advanced Modular Reactors in the UK and security-of-supply projects in Ireland. He has extensive expertise in energy policy and regulation at national and EU level and is advancing sustainable energy generation and storage technologies. Denis holds an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from MTU.
Tony O’Reilly is CEO and Founder of dCarbonX, with over 35 years’ C-suite experience. He previously served as CEO of Providence Resources Plc, where he led major transactions with global energy companies. Tony has also held leadership roles at Wedgwood and ARCON (mining), as well as co-founding Zenergy (HTS technology) and Lockwood (funds management).
dCarbonX I Director
