Increased renewables penetration in Ireland has forced utility ESB to permanently reduce power output from its 915MW Moneypoint coal-fired power station.
The company said it is switching to a new “low running regime” as the plant in County Clare has for some time been in operation at lower levels than previously.
Moneypoint, which was open in the 1980s and is the nation’s only coal-fired power plant, is due to be shut down by 2025.
ESB said this was due to “the growing volume of renewables in the market”. Around 3.7GW of onshore wind is currently connected to the national grid, including the company’s 17MW Moneypoint wind farm (pictured) adjacent to the power plant.
The utility also blamed an “increasingly competitive energy market”.
Other “technology options” for the site are being examined. The development of replacement generation is contingent securing a capacity contract and being commercially viable.
“ESB needs to realign Moneypoint’s operation and resources with the new lower running regime,” said a spokesman.
“Local station management briefed staff and their union representatives (Monday) on these challenges and set out proposals for a reconfigured option for running Moneypoint. The consultation now in train will focus on the staffing levels required for the lower running regime, including discussions on how this can be achieved.”
He added: “Proposals to properly address all aspects of Moneypoint’s lower running regime and to protect its viability in the period to 2025, will take time to develop and finalise.”
ESB has plans to a 40% share of its generation coming from renewables by 2030.