Tag Archives: ESB

FIRE crews have dealt with a fire at an ESB sub-station on the outskirts of Ennis this afternoon, reports Pat Flynn. An explosion and fire were reported at the building in the Doora Industrial Estate at around 1.30pm. Workers reported hearing a large bang and seeing smoke billowing from the concrete structure. Two units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Ennis station responded to the incident along with Gardaí. On arrival, firefighters could see thick smoke being emitted from the building above its metal doors where a gap is believed to have been created by the explosion. Firefighters were however unable to open the doors and tackle the blaze until ESB Networks engineers were contacted and arrived at the scene. ESB crews also had to disconnect power from the local area before firefighters could safely approach the building. When cleared to do so, fire service personnel wearing breathing apparatus were able to unlock the metal doors and begin …

    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 …

DESIGN work on the proposed Scariff to Limerick Greenway is to begin now that contracts have been signed, Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD has confirmed. Deputy Cathal Crowe, who is his party’s tourism and aviation spokesperson, described the potential of the 41km route as “transformational in South and East Clare”. The project, led by Waterways Ireland in conjunction with the ESB and Clare and Limerick County Councils, will result in a greenway stretching from Scariff to Killaloe, along the Errina Canal, crossing the River Shannon at the Black Bridge near the University of Limerick (UL) and on to Limerick City. “There are really good road linkages between south and east Clare and Limerick City but a greenway will take people off the beaten track and allow them to experience the natural wonders of our county,” Deputy Crowe said. “The old Errina Canal was once one of the busiest waterways in Ireland but has fallen into a state of dereliction over the …

THE ESB has come under fire from land owners in South Galway following the erection of a sign near the entrance of Derrybrien Windfarm warning about the “risk of peat instability from peat harvesting”. There are about 114 plots of land within the windfarm site boundary that many residents of Derrybrien and Killnadeema have been using through their lifetime for individual use as fuel. The South Galway Flood Relief Committee has claimed the ESB has turned the tables on local communities, meaning that turf-cutting contractors will be the ones liable for peat destabilisation and not the company, by erecting this sign, which has effectively halted peat operations in the region. The ESB has stated it didn’t issue any instruction to turbary rights holders or contractors stopping them from accessing or harvesting at Derrybrien. It also outlined the community liaison for Gort Windfarms Ltd.remains available to discuss the findings on an environmental level with the local community. In October 2003, the …

KILLALOE councillors are to receive a briefing on progress with the proposed greenway from Limerick to Scariff/Tuamgraney, after the cathaoirleach of the district described local people as “perplexed” about the matter. Councillor Pat Hayes sought details on the current status of the project, which he said has potential to link East Clare into key tourism trails across a wide geographical area. Updating district members, Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Morgan Lahiffe said the parties involved were hoping to appoint consultants to look at potential routes for the 41km trail. “Clare County Council is working together with Limerick City and County Council, the ESB and Waterways Ireland,” he explained. “Waterways Ireland are the lead agency on this and the hope is that consultants would shortly be working on route selection options. The steering group will include this local authority and we hope that the consultants will be reporting back by the end of 2021. I have asked Waterways Ireland for the latest …

THE ESB has awarded the contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of the new €50m Synchronous Compensator in Moneypoint Power Station to Siemens Energy Limited following a competitive tender process. Awarding this contract is seen as the first phase in the ESB’s plans to transform Moneypoint into a new green energy hub, which includes the proposed development of a new windfarm 16 km off the Clare coast. The Synchronous Compensator, which will be the largest of its kind in the world, will provide a range of electrical services to the electricity grid, which would previously have been supplied by thermal fired power stations. It will enable higher volumes of renewables on the system. Responding to Clare Champion queries, the ESB stated Siemens is commencing engagement with contractors in the region to carry out the construction and delivery of the project and work on site will commence soon afterwards. It is estimated these projects require up to 100 personnel during …

Turbines up to 300 metres high on massive floating platforms will be developed by ESB with experienced partners, reports Dan Danaher A NEW floating offshore windfarm of 1,400 megawatts will be developed off the coast of Clare and Kerry in two phases by ESB and joint venture partners, Equinor, a world leader in floating offshore wind technology. Once complete, the windfarm will be capable of powering more than 1.6 million homes in Ireland. Subject to the appropriate consents being granted, it is expected to be in production within the next decade. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Moneypoint station manager, Sean Hegarty said it is envisaged the new turbines will be constructed on an enormous floating concrete base weighing up to 15,000 tonnes, with the turbine built on a corner of the triangular structure. While the turbines in Peterhead off the UK coast, developed by ESB’s partners Equinor have a different base structure, he confirmed that, above the water, …

THE iconic 731 foot high chimneys that dominate the landscape near Moneypoint Power Station will be knocked when coal burning ceases after 2025, the ESB has confirmed. These two chimneys have become synonymous with the coal-burning power station since they were first built in 1985 as part of the initial investment worth an estimated €900 million. However, the ESB has stated the entire Moneypoint site will be reconfigured on a phased basis as part of the transition to becoming a new renewable energy hub under the Green Atlantic initiative. Speaking during a question and answer session for the media and stakeholders, ESB executive director for generation and trading, Jim Dollard acknowledged the chimneys will come down once the whole site is repurposed. Padraig O’hIceadha head of strategy, generation and trading, explained as the company built up the new infrastructure, the core infrastructure will not be required. While the ESB doesn’t envisage it will become a primary turbine manufacturer, Mr O’hIceadha …