Tag Archives: ESB

CONTROLLING the water levels on the River Shannon and the Head Race Canal continues to be a key aspect of Ardnacrusha Power Station, according to an experienced retired electrician. Looking back on his 44-year stint in Ardnacrusha, Francis Moloney (73) from Clonlara has outlined other statutory obligations staff fulfilled, apart from vital electricity generation. In the winter time, he recalled during high water levels Ardnacrusha was responsible for maintaining certain levels on the River Shannon. “People working up along the Shannon in places like Killaloe and Portumna would report what the water levels were to staff in Ardnacrusha where they are logged to determine the input into the River Shannon, which dictates what generation is going to be done at a particular time. “If the levels in the River Shannon go above the statutory level, you commence spilling of excess water down the Old River Shannon where people like Bertie Poole would operate the gates at Parteen Weir on behalf …

A COMPLAINT about the positioning of the Christmas lights on Tulla’s Main Street has led to them being removed by the ESB. The move has caused great disappointment, after the local Tidy Towns group invested time and money installing the lights in the same position they have been in for a decade. Local man Brendan Worsfold, a retired Tidy Towns volunteer, was among those to express dismay at the situation, suggesting that a ‘Grinch’ had put a damper on the festive season. “This is part of an annual display which has been going on for years and added to with new decorations each year,” he said. “It adds to the festive season and brightens up a dull winter. The lights have been going up like this for ten or more years and there has never been a problem.” Mr Worsfold said the ESB has seemed “very apologetic” about the situation, but explained they had to act on the complaint. Tim …

SHANNON Airport Group and the ESB are to team up on the development of a hydrogen fuel project that it is hoped will play a key part in decarbonising the aviation sector. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to explore the development of what is called a “hydrogen lighthouse project”, in the area surrounding the airport. Hydrogen procured from renewable energy is set to be key to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector – either via Liquid Hydrogen or Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Lighthouse projects demonstrate the use of hydrogen in sectors such as heavy goods and long-distance transport, aviation, shipping and power generation. This kind of work offers a blueprint for a net zero integrated energy system in the future. The project will have the aim of exploring the development of a sustainable green hydrogen plant at Shannon, Speaking this week at a Hydrogen Ireland Conference in Dublin, Shannon Airport Group CEO Mary Considine said, “Innovation has always been …

LEGAL options in the wake of the granting of permission for a wind farm on the slopes of Slieve Bernagh, close to Bodyke, will be considered at a public meeting on Friday evening, October 28.  Deputy Michael McNamara has arranged the event, which will take place at the Cobbler’s Rest, Bodyke, to allow those who objected to the development to examine their next course of action. On September 29, An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the 19-turbines on a site of 750 hectares, visible from Feakle to stretches of Lough Derg. Because the application was made under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, an appeal is impossible. The only option, in terms of challenging the board’s decision, is to seek a judicial review. In such a situation, a judge would review An Bord Pleanála’s actions to see if it followed the required rules and procedures. “A large number of people across a wide area objected to this development,” Deputy McNamara said. “This …

THE ESB are currently battling three power outages in the Miltown Malbay area, all of which they hope to have resolved before midnight. They say that one is affecting 1315 customers, another 1027 and the third affecting 164 of their customers. There are also a number of outages in the Kilrush area, one affecting 107 customers, with three others affecting 43, 33 and 18 customers respectively. While a number of outages in the Kilkee area have been fixed, four more still have to be resolved, and it is expected some of the customers there won’t have their power back until tomorrow afternoon.

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, …

NORWEGIAN company Equinor have pulled out of a planned partnership with the ESB for the development of wind energy off the coast of West Clare. It was expected that the project would have generated enough power for 1.5 million homes and with coal burning set to cease at Moneypoint, it would have provided West Clare with a significant economic boost. Sinn Féin TD for Clare Violet-Anne Wynne said it is disappointing news. “This offshore windfarm was a central component to the Government’s commitment in the Programme for Government to provide 5GW of wind energy by 2030. “This is part of a greater promise to generate 80% of Ireland’s energy needs through renewable sources by 20230. The irony is that Equinor have pulled out the same day that the Government are announcing their much-awaited Climate Action Plan. “Which is more telling of the Government’s capacity to reach carbon neutrality; their ability to produce another lengthy document or their sustained engagement on …