Moneypoint power station

Moneypoint power station (Irish: Stáisiúin Chumhachta Ghob na Muine) is Ireland's largest electricity generation station (output 915 MW)[1] and only coal-fired power station. Commissioned between 1985–87,[2] it is located on the River Shannon near Kilrush, County Clare. It was constructed at a cost of more than £700m in one of the largest capital projects in the history of the state. The station operates largely on coal, making it both unique in the context of Irish electricity production and the country's single largest emitter of greenhouse gases.[3] It is capable of meeting around 25% of customer demand across the country.[4] It has two Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) storage tanks with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes which can be used as a back-up fuel if required.[2]

Moneypoint Power Station as seen from County Kerry

Three Brown Boveri four-cylinder, single-shaft impulse reaction turbines are directly connected three generators which generate the power. The steam is generated by three Foster Wheeler two-pass boilers, which convert water into high pressure steam by combustion of the coal.

The power station chimneys, at 218m, are the tallest free-standing structures in Ireland.

History

Moneypoint was under construction from 1979 to 1987.[5] Before its construction, Ireland depended heavily on imported oil for its energy.[6] The 1970s sharp increase in oil prices over a short period of time led the government and the Electricity Supply Board to choose coal as a fuel, as it was seen as a plentiful resource with a stable price.[7]

In 2019, the government launched its climate action plan which included a commitment to end the burning of coal in Moneypoint by 2025,[8] and replace coal-fired generation with "low-carbon and renewable technologies". However to date no details have been provided on what technologies are being explored to replace coal.

References
  1. http://www.esb.ie/main/about-esb/history.jsp
  2. "ESB informational document" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24.
  3. http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/newtech-solution-could-clean-up-moneypoint-64089.html Irish Independent Business
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-11. Retrieved 2011-11-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2014-08-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2009-08-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-12-23. Retrieved 2009-09-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2019-07-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Moneypoint powerstation (left)


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