Tag Archives: Eirgrid

Clare County Council is set to launch its Climate Action Plan on Wednesday, February 21, at the EirGrid Energy Citizens Roadshow at Treacys West County Hotel in Ennis. Described as a ‘roadmap’ for the local authority’s commitment to sustainability and environmental sustainability, the plan aims to set out a “pathway towards positive change”, according to Clare County Council’s Climate Action Coordinator, Morgan Lahiffe. Mr Lahiffe will join a panel of speakers from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and ESB Networks, to discuss renewable energy, the future of the electricity grid and home energy upgrades and grants. The event will also host exhibitors, including energy consultants, solar panel experts and Ennis Credit Union. Attendees will hear about the various grants and incentives available to homeowners and businesses to make energy-efficient upgrades. “This Climate Action Plan is a pivotal roadmap for Clare County Council’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility,” said …

Minister Eamon Ryan rules out extension of power plant’s use in current guise despite fears over supply of energy HOPES that Moneypoint Power Generating Station could stay open longer than the proposed 2025 shutdown in its current form to deal with power shortages have been dashed by Minister Eamon Ryan. Eirgrid has warned that Ireland won’t have enough electricity to meet demand for the next five winters, if action isn’t taken. In a key report, the company outlined this is due to the closure of older power plants and a rise in demand for electricity. The report has promoted the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to recommend that older power stations, which were due to be decommissioned, are kept open to boost supply. Deputy Michael McNamara highlighted concerns about what will happen when Moneypoint ceases to burn coal in four years’ time. Like the Transport Minister, Deputy McNamara looks forward to the Moneypoint plant becoming a green energy hub. The …

    WORK on the construction of a new €50 million Synchronous Compensator will begin in Moneypoint Generating Station last this month as part of the ESB’s multi-billion Euro Green Atlantic development. The new compensator will be the first in the country and will incorporate the world’s largest flywheel used for grid stability. Due to the intermittency of wind energy, grid stabilisation technologies have an increasingly important role in a successful energy transition. The synchronous compensator will enable the management of the transmission system safely and securely with a reduced dispatch of fossil fuel plant under constraints and reduced costs of transmission operations. In a statement issued to the Clare Champion, the ESB stated is pleased to bring forward the Moneypoint Synchronous Compensator with flywheel as a cost effective and zero carbon solution in strengthening the stability and resilience of the Irish grid. An ESB spokeswoman confirmed manufacturing of the main electrical and mechanical components commenced earlier this year, works …

THE company behind the 29-turbine Slieve Callan windfarm is offering grants totalling more than €1.5 million to the four communities close to the development, The Clare Champion has learned. Miltown Malbay, Kilmurry Ibrickane, Kilmaley and Inagh-Kilnamona are each to receive €100,000 of the proposed grants before the end of this year, while the remainder will be paid in instalments for up to 25 years. The developers committed to provide the funding in their planning application. Parishes will receive €20,000 a year for the first five years; €10,250 a year for the next 15 years and €5,000 annually for the last five years. Each parish is to receive approximately €378,000 from the developers, adding up to €1.515m. Public meetings were due to be held in Miltown, Inagh and Quilty on Wednesday night to address how best the money should be spent. Kilmaley Meitheal (Community Development Group) met on Tuesday night, while Kilmaley GAA Club is to hold a meeting next Monday …

KILRUSH gardaí are seeking the assistance of the public in West Clare, following reports that people are posing as representatives of Eirgrid and Electric Ireland, when calling to private houses in the area. Gardaí are looking for any information on sightings of a blue vehicle, possibly a Peugeot 2004 model, with TN registration plates. Furthermore, Kilrush gardaí are also looking into reports of bogus workmen, calling to houses in the region and posing as people checking water and sewerage schemes. Anybody with information, in either instance, is asked to call the gards station at 065 9080550.

By Dan Danaher MONEYPOINT electricity generating station has been earmarked as a possible site for a nuclear power plant, a local county councillor has claimed. Councillor Brian Meaney has warned that a lobby group has already made representations to the Oireachtas Committee for Transport and Communications requesting the conversion of Moneypoint to a new nuclear plant once it is decommissioned in 2025. Speaking at a council meeting on this Monday, Councillor Meaney revealed  Pro Nuclear Lobby Group BENE (Better Environment with Nuclear Energy) has stated that the coal-fired  915 MW ESB  power plant at Moneypoint is the only suitable site for a nuclear power plant for Ireland. One of the main reasons is that it is the only power plant in the country that has the existing 440 kv  grid connections to distribute the power generated from a nuclear power plant. Also it is a costal location, seen as optimal when siting a nuclear power plant According to Councillor Meaney, the need to …