Tag Archives: Moneypoint

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 …

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 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 …

THERE are four key elements to the multi-billion Euro Green Atlantic initiative announced by the ESB, which will result in the creation of a renewable energy hub in Moneypoint Power Station. The first part is renewable enablement. Work has already started on transforming Moneypoint into a green energy hub, breaking ground on a new €50m Sustainable System Support facility in the coming weeks. This new plant will provide a range of electrical services to the electricity grid which would previously have been supplied by thermal fired power stations. Its operation will enable higher volumes of renewables on the system. The second element is the creation of a floating off-shore wind farm of 1,400MW off the coast of Counties Clare and Kerry, which will be developed in two phases by ESB and joint venture partners, Equinor, a world leader in floating offshore wind technology. Once complete, the wind farm will be capable of powering more than 1.6m homes in Ireland. Subject …

Ireland could become net exporter of energy once Green Atlantic project comes fully to fruition, reports Dan Danaher. THE creation of a new multi-billion euro green energy hub at Moneypoint Power Station can help Ireland to become a net exporter of energy, the ESB has predicted. In line with the Government’s ambition of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, ESB has stated the transformation of Moneypoint in County Clare into a green energy hub will help Ireland to become a leader in green energy production. Green Atlantic is a new ambitious plan, which includes the proposed development of new off-shore wind farm with the potential to power 1.6 million homes. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, ESB chief executive, Pat O’Doherty stated Green Atlantic at Moneypoint reflects the scale of its ambition and commitment to creating a cleaner, brighter and more sustainable future for everyone. “Ireland imports 80% of its requirements in the form of coal, oil and gas. …

YEARS of uncertainty for Moneypoint employees came to an end last week, with the direction for their plant being unveiled, and assurances that their jobs will be sustained into the future. In addition the construction of new infrastructure and support services are set to see the creation of hundreds of new jobs, providing a massive and overdue economic boost for West Clare. After coal burning ceases in 2025, the plant will continue in back-up mode, until the first phase of the new green energy development comes on stream three years later. The lack of a plan for a future after coal burning ended was a huge concern for west Clare, while significant job losses at the plant in 2019 meant the outlook was rather bleak, but one worker said that staff have been thrilled with last week’s development. “From the feedback I’m getting, everyone is over the moon and everyone is delighted. They’re going to use the site below to …

BETWEEN 50 and 100 jobs will be created to provide a new €50 million Synchronous Compensator in Moneypoint Power Station as part of the ESB’s exciting new €5 billion Green Atlantic development, reports Dan Danaher. This 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. Its operation will enable higher volumes of renewables on the system. While Moneypoint plant manager, Sean Hegarty was unable this week to provide an exact number of new jobs in advance of signing this major new work contract for the site, he estimates a major construction of this scale usually requires between 50 and 100 people. It is estimated the construction of the new offshore windfarm will create up to 600 new jobs, pending planning approval. This new Synchronous Compensator will be sub contracted to a major manufacturer who may …