Minister: coal burning at Moneypoint could continue past 2025

PLANS to cease burning coal to generate electricity in Moneypoint Power Station in 2025 may be delayed unless renewable sources of energy are delivered quicker than expected.

Deputy Michael McNamara recently asked Climate Action and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan to outline the Government’s position regarding the operation of Moneypoint in view of ongoing energy security challenges.

Minister Ryan confirmed the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of Ireland’s electricity supply over the coming winters.

These actions include: procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; additional use of grid scale batteries; and improved demand-side measures. Margins will remain tight during this coming winter period.

“In line with the Government’s policy statement on security of electricity supply published in November 2021, it is appropriate that existing conventional electricity generation capacity, including existing coal, should be retained until the new conventional electricity generation capacity is developed in order to ensure security of electricity supply.

“Conventional capacity will only operate if and when needed, with renewable energy and efficient gas-fired power stations always being supplied to the market first. This approach will minimise the impact on greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring continued security of electricity supply,” Minister Ryan explained.

While Deputy McNamara looks forward to the development of offshore wind energy off the Atlantic, he believes the technology to facilitate this is not available.

This prompts the need to consider alternatives to guarantee energy security.

The Independent Deputy stated Minister Ryan has ruled out an LNG base and nuclear energy, which posed the question how the state would fuel industries, hospitals and schools.

“I do not want to see fracked gas coming to Ireland but we must have gas storage, especially if our only source of energy when the wind is not blowing is going to be gas power.

“The gas we are now getting on boats is going to have to come through the United Kingdom, which has no requirement to treat us equally in the event of a shortage since it left the EU.”

Minister Ryan said the government would power the country using its own natural resources.

“We will have to share and balance with our neighbouring countries in the north-west region of Europe but we will power our future.

“The most secure way, and the most competitive way, is through renewable power. It is through the immense renewable energy resources we have. They are technologically available now, are cheaper and cleaner, and we have them in abundance.”

In reply to Deputy McNamara, Minister Ryan insisted floating wind energy is coming on stream at scale.