Fact Check: Ireland Recently Shut Down Last Coal Power Plant
What We Know
On June 20, 2025, Ireland officially shut down its last coal power plant, the Moneypoint facility located in County Clare. This closure marks a significant milestone, making Ireland the 15th country in Europe to eliminate coal from its energy mix (source-1). The Moneypoint plant, which had been operational since the mid-1980s, was a major source of electricity generation in Ireland, particularly during the oil crisis of the 1970s. As of 2024, wind power accounted for approximately 37% of Ireland's electricity generation, with solar energy also contributing to the renewable energy landscape (source-2).
The closure of Moneypoint is part of a broader trend across Europe, where many countries are phasing out coal in favor of renewable energy sources. Ireland's transition has been supported by organizations such as Beyond Fossil Fuels, which tracks the progress of European nations in moving away from fossil fuels (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Ireland has shut down its last coal power plant is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Reports from CleanTechnica and PV Magazine confirm the closure of the Moneypoint plant and highlight its significance in Ireland's energy transition. These sources provide detailed accounts of the plant's history and its role in Ireland's energy strategy.
Moreover, the information from Beyond Fossil Fuels emphasizes the importance of this closure in the context of European energy policy, noting that 23 European countries have committed to phasing out coal (source-2). The reliability of these sources is bolstered by their focus on environmental issues and renewable energy, which are critical in the current global context of climate change.
While the closure of Moneypoint is a positive development, it is essential to note that the plant may still serve a limited backup role by burning heavy fuel oil until 2029, as per instructions from EirGrid (source-2). This aspect indicates that while coal generation has ceased, some fossil fuel dependency may persist in the short term.
Conclusion
The claim that "Ireland recently shut down its last coal power plant" is True. The closure of the Moneypoint plant on June 20, 2025, signifies a critical step in Ireland's transition to renewable energy and aligns with broader European efforts to phase out coal. The evidence from multiple reliable sources supports this assertion, confirming that Ireland has indeed become the 15th coal-free country in Europe.
Sources
- Ireland shuts down its last coal power plant – becomes the ...
- Ireland Becomes Europe's 15th Coal-Free Country as ...
- Ireland Shutters Its Last Coal-Fired Generating Station
- Ireland shuts last coal plant as Europe's phase-out ...
- Ireland shuts last coal plant, becomes 15th ...
- Ireland Becomes Europe’s 15th Coal-Free Nation
- 'This Is the End of Coal in Ireland': Country Shuts Down ...
- Ireland: Last coal-fired power plant shut down.
