Tag Archives: Equinor

THE ESB and the government are being urged to seek another investment partner for the proposed €2 billion windfarm off the Clare coast following the “devastating” withdrawal of Norwegian firm Equinor. Equinor has pulled out of the Irish market, having previously reached an agreement with the ESB to develop a major 1.4GW wind farm using floating technology off the West Clare coast. Council chairman, Councillor PJ Ryan called on the government to introduce a streamlined simple planning process and remove any obstacles concerning connection to the national grid to get the vital project back on track. Councillor Ryan said given the emphasis on tackling climate change the government should prioritise the necessary regulations to ensure this project was “shovel ready” to proceed. Clare Dáil TDs Cathal Crowe and Violet-Anne Wynne have expressed different views on the impact of this setback for a major element of Moneypoint’s €5 billion Green Atlantic initiative. Deputy Wynne believes the future of the offshore windfarm …

THE ESB and the government are being urged to seek another investment partner for the proposed €2 billion windfarm off the Clare coast following the “devastating” withdrawal of Norwegian firm Equinor. Clare Dáil Deputies Cathal Crowe and Violet-Anne Wynne have expressed different views on the impact of this setback for a major element of Moneypoint’s €5 billion Green Atlantic initiative. Deputy Wynne believes the future of the offshore windfarm project is called into question. “Are other foreign investment partners going to be similarly off put by Ireland’s excessive bureaucracy in terms of planning and regulation?,” she asked. While Deputy Crowe accepts it is very disappointing that Equinor have withdrawn from their partnership with the ESB to develop the offshore Green Atlantic windfarm, he thinks the project can still very much proceed. Deputy Crowe is calling on the ESB and the government to immediately put their heads together and find a replacement partner. Equinor has pulled out of the Irish market, …

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 …