Moneypoint power station | |
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Country |
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Location | |
Coordinates | 52°36′27″N 9°25′27″W / 52.6075°N 9.4243°W |
Status | Operational |
Commission date |
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Owner(s) | |
Thermal power station | |
Primary fuel | |
Secondary fuel | |
Turbine technology | |
Site area |
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Chimneys |
|
Power generation | |
Units operational | 3 × 305 MW |
Make and model | Foster Wheeler (3) |
Nameplate capacity |
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External links | |
Commons | Related media on Commons |
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]
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.
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]
The plant was planned to be closed in 2025 but operation was extended to 2029. [14]
Moneypoint power station | |
---|---|
| |
Country |
|
Location | |
Coordinates | 52°36′27″N 9°25′27″W / 52.6075°N 9.4243°W |
Status | Operational |
Commission date |
|
Owner(s) | |
Thermal power station | |
Primary fuel | |
Secondary fuel | |
Turbine technology | |
Site area |
|
Chimneys |
|
Power generation | |
Units operational | 3 × 305 MW |
Make and model | Foster Wheeler (3) |
Nameplate capacity |
|
External links | |
Commons | Related media on Commons |
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]
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.
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]
The plant was planned to be closed in 2025 but operation was extended to 2029. [14]