Moneypoint: Coal Use Ends Early – Irish Times
- The Electricity Supply board (ESB) has ceased using coal at its Moneypoint power station in County Clare, located in the Shannon estuary.
- While still a fossil fuel, heavy fuel oil produces less carbon than coal.
- This shift is part of an ongoing project to convert Moneypoint into a major renewable energy hub.
ESB’s Moneypoint power station decisively ends coal use, a full six months ahead of schedule, now relying on oil as a temporary energy source. This pivotal shift marks a significant step toward transforming the facility into a major renewable energy hub, with a focus on offshore wind projects. the change shows a commitment to sustainable practices. moneypoint, which once provided a quarter of Ireland’s electricity, is actively transitioning away from fossil fuels, a process initiated in 2017. The Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint project, a key initiative announced in 2021, builds on existing infrastructure. News Directory 3 will continue to keep readers informed. the site’s infrastructure and deepwater port will play a vital role in Ireland’s energy transformation. By 2029, ESB plans to eliminate oil use entirely. Discover what’s next in this evolving energy landscape.
ESB Moneypoint Ends Coal Use, Shifts to Oil
Updated June 20, 2025
The Electricity Supply board (ESB) has ceased using coal at its Moneypoint power station in County Clare, located in the Shannon estuary. The facility will now use oil for power generation for the next several years as it transitions to renewable energy sources.
While still a fossil fuel, heavy fuel oil produces less carbon than coal. The Moneypoint station, operational sence the mid-1980s, is expected to see reduced usage overall. The move away from coal occurred six months earlier than initially planned.
This shift is part of an ongoing project to convert Moneypoint into a major renewable energy hub. The power plant, which relied on coal for four decades, began its move away from fossil fuels in 2017 with the construction of a 17-megawatt onshore wind farm.
In 2021, ESB unveiled its Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint project, an ambitious plan leveraging the site’s deepwater port and existing infrastructure to create one of ireland’s largest renewable energy centers. A key component involves scaling up offshore wind projects along Ireland’s west coast.
Phase one of the Green Atlantic project, completed in 2022, involved installing a 50 million euro synchronous compensator. This addition enhances the national grid’s ability to efficiently integrate renewable energy sources.
Moneypoint, which once supplied up to 25% of Ireland’s electricity, will continue to serve as a backup facility for EirGrid, ensuring the security of Ireland’s electricity supply. The ESB plans to discontinue oil use at the station by 2029, further solidifying its commitment to renewable energy.
What’s next
The focus remains on expanding offshore wind capacity and integrating more renewable energy sources into the national grid, with Moneypoint playing a crucial role in Ireland’s energy transition.