Fact Check: "Moneypoint coal plant, operational since the 1980s, is now defunct for electricity generation."
What We Know
Moneypoint power station, located in County Clare, Ireland, is the country's largest electricity generation facility and its only coal-fired power station. It was commissioned between 1985 and 1987 and has an output capacity of 915 MW (Wikipedia). Historically, Moneypoint played a significant role in Ireland's energy landscape, meeting approximately 25% of the country's electricity demand at its peak (Wikipedia). However, by 2023, coal's contribution to Ireland's electricity mix had decreased to just 4% (Wikipedia).
In 2021, the ESB Group, which owns Moneypoint, announced plans to close the facility and transition it into a green-energy hub, with a commitment to cease coal burning by the end of 2025 (Wikipedia, ESB Corporate). Despite this commitment, the plant will remain operational until 2029 as a backup generator, primarily using heavy fuel oil (HFO) instead of coal (ESB Corporate, Clare Herald).
Analysis
The claim that Moneypoint is now defunct for electricity generation is partially true. While it is accurate that the plant will cease coal operations by the end of 2025, it is not entirely defunct as it will continue to operate using HFO until 2029. This transition is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on coal and move towards renewable energy sources (Wikipedia, ESB Corporate).
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high. Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the plant's history and operational changes, while the ESB Corporate site offers official statements regarding the future of Moneypoint. Both sources indicate a clear intent to phase out coal, but they also clarify that the plant will not be entirely inactive in the interim (Wikipedia, ESB Corporate).
Moreover, recent reports confirm that while coal burning will cease, Moneypoint will still be available as a backup generator, which contradicts the notion that it is completely defunct for electricity generation (Clare Herald, RTÉ).
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim is Partially True. Moneypoint power station is indeed transitioning away from coal and will cease coal operations by the end of 2025. However, it will not be entirely defunct, as it will continue to operate on heavy fuel oil until 2029. This nuanced situation reflects ongoing changes in Ireland's energy policy and the gradual shift towards renewable energy sources.
