The management of Moneypoint Power Station insists the facility will be supplying the national electricity grid for at least another 60 years.
Members of Clare’s Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee have been informed of the West Clare employer’s plans for the future, as it begins a significant new chapter.
Two weeks from now, Moneypoint’s 900-megawatt coal-burning station will begin the process of converting to Heavy Fuel Oil, or HFO, which it’s claimed will “provide significant backup to the national electricity grid when predicted demand outstrips generation”.
The entire operation, which is part of a commitment to cease burning coal at the facility by the end of this year, will be finished in August.
Until 2029, the station will function as an out-of-market generator of last resort, or backup generator to the national grid, but beyond this, plans are afoot to make Moneypoint a renewable energy hub.
Local councillor Michael Shannon says he hopes this will make the area attractive to large multinational companies.
It was widely-reported earlier this month that the 450-megawatt €1.4 billion Sceirde Rocks offshore wind development off Clare and Galway’s won’t proceed due to a developer pulling out.
The application remains live, however, and Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy, Timmy Dooley claims there is “strong” interest in it from other parties.
He’s also confirmed that a Designated Marine Area Plan for sites suited to offshore development along the coast of Clare and other counties will be finalised by the end of 2027.
The ESB remains committed to the Green Atlantic at Moneypoint Project, which would see the site become a renewable hub with a 1,400-megawatt offshore wind farm capable of powering up to 1.6 million homes.
Station Manager Stevie O’Mahoney has stated this week that the planned Offshore Renewable Energy Port Facility will be a “key enabler” of offshore wind in Ireland, with a planning application to be submitted within the first three months of 2027.
In addition to contractors, a total of 130 people are employed at Moneypoint at present, and at the height of construction, it’s estimated that up to 600 will be working on-site.
Clare County Council Economic Development SPC Chairperson, Councillor Pat Daly says people in West Clare will be working at the facility for decades to come.
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