Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
110. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the plan to cease burning coal at Moneypoint power station in 2025 will be reviewed in view of the fact that no coal has been burned there for over two months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53156/18]
View answerThe electricity generating plant at Moneypoint is a 900MW coal-fired plant and contributes in a number of ways to security of electricity supply in Ireland, including diversity of fuel and storage. The scheduling and taking off-line for maintenance works in relation to Moneypoint or other generating stations are operational matters for the plant operators in line with the management of the transmission system by EirGrid, the Transmission System Operator. Moneypoint and other generating stations are often taken off-line for maintenance during low-demand periods so that they are available when required during peak periods, most notably in winter time when it is colder and the weather deteriorates. In relation to current maintenance work, ESB has advised that work is coming to completion on two units and they will be returning to service this month.
It is settled policy that electricity generation from coal will cease no later than 2025. This position has been set out in a number of policy documents, including the National Mitigation Plan, the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and the 2015 Energy Policy Paper, “Ireland’s Transition to a Low-Carbon Energy Future”. The 2016 Programme for Government included a commitment that the most suitable low-carbon technology to replace coal by 2025 would be identified.
The ESB is studying options for replacement of decommissioned coal generation. As part of this study, the ESB will consider the best option in energy and climate policy terms.
