Moneypoint power station

Moneypoint power station (Irish: Stáisiún cumhachta Ghob na Muine)[1] is Ireland's largest electricity generation station (with an output 915 MW)[2] and its only coal-fired power station.[3] Commissioned between 1985 and 1987,[4] it is located on the River Shannon, near Kilrush in County Clare, and was constructed at a cost of more than £700m.[5] 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.[6] It is capable of meeting around 25% of customer demand across the country.[7] 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.[4]

Moneypoint power station
Country
  • Republic of Ireland
Location
Coordinates52°36′27″N 9°25′27″W
StatusOperational
Commission date
  • September 1985
Owner(s)
Thermal power station
Primary fuel
Secondary fuel
Turbine technology
Site area
  • 170 ha (420 acres)
Chimneys
  • 2
Power generation
Units operational3 × 305 MW
Make and modelFoster Wheeler (3)
Nameplate capacity
  • 915 MW
External links
CommonsRelated media on Commons

Moneypoint Power Station as seen from County Kerry

Three Brown Boveri four-cylinder, single-shaft impulse reaction turbines are directly connected to 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
See also: Nuclear power in the Republic of Ireland § Carnsore Point

Moneypoint was under construction from 1979 to 1987.[8] Before its construction, Ireland depended heavily on imported oil for its energy.[9] 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.[10]

A flywheel synchronous condenser to stabilize the grid was ordered for operation at Moneypoint by 2022.[11]

In 2019, the government launched its climate action plan which included a commitment to end the burning of coal in Moneypoint by 2025,[12] and replace coal-fired generation with "low-carbon and renewable technologies". One option being explored is a 400 MW floating wind farm with an onshore hydrogen facility.[13]

See also

References
  1. Creatphlean Comhtháite Straitéiseach d'Inbhear na Sionainne (Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary) (PDF) (Report) (in Irish). Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council, Kerry County Council, Shannon Development, Shannon Foynes Port Company. p. 7. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. "ESB History Timeline". esb.ie. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  3. McMahon, Páraic (24 October 2022). "Electricity generation from coal at Moneypoint up this year". clareecho.ie. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  4. "ESB informational document" (PDF). esb.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015.
  5. "Moneypoint to power on despite protests". thetimes.co.uk. The Times (UK). 15 July 2018.
  6. "Business: New-tech solution 'could clean up' Moneypoint". Irish Independent. 12 December 2006.
  7. "About ESB: Moneypoint". esb.ie. Archived from the original on 11 December 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  8. "About ESB: Moneypoint - Station History Construction". esb.ie. Archived from the original on 24 August 2003. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  9. "About ESB: Moneypoint - The station". esb.ie. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  10. "About ESB: Moneypoint - Fuel type". esb.ie. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  11. Radowitz, Bernd (4 May 2021). "Siemens Energy technology to stabilise grid at giant Irish floating wind energy hub". Recharge | Latest renewable energy news. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021.
  12. "Climate Action Plan 2019" (PDF). gov.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  13. "New Moneypoint offshore wind energy plan will power 1.5 million homes". The Clare Champion. 8 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021.
Moneypoint powerstation from Tarbert
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