11 hours ago
Ireland ends coal power generation at Moneypoint
Ireland has ended coal power generation, joining a growing group of European countries that have eliminated the fuel from their electricity mix.
The closure of Moneypoint's coal operations makes Ireland Europe's sixth country to exit coal as renewables continue to increase their share of power generation.
The station in Co Clare will continue to operate, serving as a back-up role, burning oil under emergency instruction from EirGrid until 2029.
Moneypoint is one of Ireland's largest energy generation stations and was developed in the 1980s to mitigate against the then oil crisis.
Cathal Marley, Chief Executive of EirGrid, said the change marks a significant milestone for the country's electricity system.
"While Moneypoint will no longer use coal, we entered an agreement with ESB, following direction from our regulator, CRU, to make Moneypoint units available on a temporary basis as out of market units up to 31st March 2029.
"The units will operate using oil as the primary fuel source and will support the overall adequacy position for Ireland, alongside the other measures in CRU's Security of Supply Programme.'
Paddy Hayes, Chief Executive of ESB said the teams working at Moneypoint and the communities across West Clare have been at the heart of powering Ireland's electricity system for the best part of 40 years.
Friends of the Earth Ireland also welcomed the move, saying the cessation of coal operations at Moneypoint fires the starting gun on what could be a defining summer for Europe's coal phase-out, with Spain and Italy set to follow suit in the coming months, with the anticipated shutdown of their remaining mainland coal plants.
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