Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2022
192. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount (GWh) of electricity produced from coal at Moneypoint power station in the period January to September 2021, all of 2021, and the nine-month period from January to September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52576/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Government's policy statement on security of electricity supply published in November 2021 it is appropriate that existing conventional electricity generation capacity, including existing coal fired electricity generation, should be retained until new conventional electricity generation capacity is developed in order to ensure security of electricity supply.
Conventional capacity will only operate if and when needed, with renewable energy and efficient gas-fired power stations always being supplied to the market first. This approach will minimise the impact on greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring continued security of electricity supply.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) publish a monthly report on electricity generation in Ireland and report that for the period January to September 2021, 1,919 GWh of electricity was produced from coal. Electricity generation from coal for all of 2021 totalled 2,781GWh. The September 2022 figure is not available yet but from January to August 2022, 1,783 GWh of electricity was produced from coal. For comparison the January to August 2021 figure was 1,645 GWh. Moneypoint is Ireland’s only coal fuelled power plant in operation. More detail on monthly figures for electricity generation by fuel type can be found on the SEAI website.
