- Moneypoint power station
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Moneypoint Power Station as seen from County Kerry
Moneypoint is Ireland's largest electricity generation station (output 915 MW)[1] and only coal-fired power station. It is located on the River Shannon near Kilrush, County Clare and was constructed at a cost of more than £700m, in one of the largest capital projects in the history of the Republic of Ireland. 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.[2] It is capable of meeting around 25% of customer demand across the country.[3]
The power station chimneys, at 218m, are the tallest free standing structures in Ireland.
History
Moneypoint was under construction from 1979 to 1987.[4] Before its construction, Ireland depended heavily on imported oil for its energy.[5] 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 resource, as it was seen as a plentiful resource with a stable price.[6]
Coordinates: 52°36′25″N 9°25′23″W / 52.607°N 9.423°W
References
- ^ http://www.esb.ie/main/about-esb/history.jsp
- ^ http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/newtech-solution-could-clean-up-moneypoint-64089.html Irish Independent Business
- ^ http://www.esb.ie/main/about_esb/powerstations/moneypoint/thestation/index.jsp
- ^ http://www.esb.ie/main/about_esb/powerstations/moneypoint/stationhistory/construction.jsp
- ^ http://www.esb.ie/main/about_esb/powerstations/moneypoint/thestation/index.jsp
- ^ http://www.esb.ie/main/about_esb/powerstations/moneypoint/thestation/fueltype.jsp
External links
Electricity generation in Ireland Companies / organisations Airtricity · Bord Gáis · Dublin Bay Power · EirGrid · Electricity Supply Board · Huntstown Power · Imera Power · Northern Ireland Electricity · Premier Power (NI) · SSE Renewables · Viridian Group (NI)Electricity generating stations Aghada · Ardnacrusha · Ballylumford (NI) · Carnsore Point · Coolkeeragh (NI) · Inniscarra · Kilroot (NI) · Kinsale road · Lough Ree · Moneypoint · Poulaphouca · Ringsend (Poolbeg) · SeaGen (NI) · Shannonbridge · Tarbert · Turlough Hill(NI) indicates Northern Ireland Categories:- Coal-fired power stations in the Republic of Ireland
- Power station stubs
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