Moneypoint Power Station will function as a back up electricity supplier to the national grid until 2029.
It comes as EirGrid and the ESB have reached an agreement in relation to operations at the Kilrush site.
The ESB has confirmed to the local authority that as part of a proposed suite of measures to address the medium term security of electricity, Moneypoint will serve as an out of market generator of last resort from 2025 until 2029.
This means that the station will not be active in the wholesale electricity market but can be called into action by Eirgrid in the event that a shortfall in generation capacity elsewhere would threaten overall consumer supply.
As part of ESB’s commitment to cease coal burning activities at the country’s largest electricity generating station by 2025, the facility will be converted to run on oil for this period, subject to a grant of planning permission.
Once Moneypoint is no longer required as a generator of last resort , the existing thermal generator at the plant will be decommissioned.
The ESB contend that the temporary arrangement will not impede the development of renewable energy hub ‘Green Atlantic’ at Moneypoint and that the move will ensure the ongoing employment of on site personnel.
