Ireland closes last coal generator, becoming 15th country in Europe to quit the fossil fuel

Ireland has become the fifteenth country in Europe to eliminate coal from their electricity mix following the closure of the 915MW Moneypoint coal-fired power station.

State-owned electricity company ESB announced late last week that coal generation had ended at Moneypoint power station, marking the end of nearly 40 years at the heart of the Republic of Ireland’s electricity system.

Moneypoint is to be converted into a renewable energy hub and already consists of a 17MW onshore wind farm and a synchronous condenser, although the generators at the plant will be placed on standby – for use as an emergency backup – until 2029, using oil if necessary.

“Marking the end of coal generation in Moneypoint is an important milestone in ESB’s progress towards net zero,” said Paddy Hayes, chief executive of ESB.

“It is a significant step in Moneypoint’s transformation into a renewable energy hub, supporting a low carbon future while continuing to support energy security.

“Moneypoint, the teams working here, and the communities across West Clare have been at the heart of powering Ireland’s electricity system for the best part of 40 years so far – and I would like to thank all those who have played a part in that.”

The transformation of the Moneypoint power station into what the company calls the Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint renewable energy hub has already completed its first phase, the installation and operation of Ireland’s first synchronous condenser, featuring the world’s largest flywheel.

The synchronous condenser, completed in late 2022, will provide a range of electrical services to the electricity grid which were previously supplied by thermal fired power stations.

It will also help to enable the integration of higher volumes of renewable energy into Ireland’s electricity system, including the proposed 1.4GW Moneypoint Floating Offshore wind farm.

Moneypoint will also serve as a future wind turbine construction hub, utilising its deep-water port and existing infrastructure for the construction and assembly of floating wind turbines.

News of Moneypoint’s transition away from coal-fired electricity generation was welcome by Jerry Mac Evilly, the campaigns director at Friends of the Earth Ireland.  

“The end of coal burning at Moneypoint is a significant sign of progress and a clear indication that Ireland’s fossil fuel era can and must draw to a close,” said Mac Evilly.

“The government must now ensure oil back-up is kept to an absolute minimum and ultimately decommissioned.  More broadly, it is essential that the government stops further development of data centres, which are increasing our reliance on polluting and expensive fossil gas.

The closure of Moneypoint also marks the start of what could turn out to be a defining summer for the phase-out of coal across Europe. Both Spain and Italy are expected to complete the mainland phase-out of coal in the coming months (with coal only operating on the Balearic Islands and Sardinia).

A total of 10 countries, including Spain and Italy, have committed to exit coal in the next five years, including Greece, Slovakia, Hungary, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, and Macedonia.