Ireland has taken a significant step towards a cleaner energy future with the closure of its last coal-fired power station. This landmark development positions the country as the 15th European nation to eliminate coal from its energy mix, marking a crucial advancement in the continent’s transition to renewable energy sources.
Ireland’s milestone in renewable energy transformation
The state-owned electricity company ESB recently announced that the Moneypoint thermal power station has ceased generating energy from coal. This closure brings an end to nearly four decades of coal-powered electricity production that had been at the heart of the Republic of Ireland’s electrical system since its inception.
Paddy Hayes, CEO of ESB, highlighted the importance of this development: The end of coal-based power generation at Moneypoint represents a significant milestone in ESB’s progress toward achieving net-zero emissions. This transition demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to fighting climate change while ensuring energy security for its citizens.
The power station will not be decommissioned entirely. Instead, its generators will remain on standby until 2029 for emergency backup purposes, using oil if necessary. This approach balances the move away from coal with pragmatic considerations for energy security during the transition period.
Moneypoint’s transformation includes the following completed projects:
- Installation of a 17 MW onshore wind farm
- Commissioning of a synchronous condenser with the world’s largest flywheel
- Initial infrastructure adaptations for renewable energy production
- Port facility upgrades to support future wind turbine construction
Green Atlantic: transforming a coal plant into a renewable energy hub
The former coal plant isn’t simply being shut down – it’s being reimagined. ESB has branded the transformation as “Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint,” an ambitious project to convert the facility into a comprehensive renewable energy center that will support Ireland’s clean energy goals for decades to come.
The first phase of this transformation has already been completed with the installation and commissioning of Ireland’s first synchronous condenser. This technology, featuring the world’s largest flywheel, will provide crucial electrical services to the power grid that were previously supplied by thermal power stations. The synchronous condenser is expected to facilitate the integration of larger volumes of renewable energy into Ireland’s electrical system.
Perhaps the most ambitious element of the Green Atlantic project is the proposed 1.4 GW floating offshore wind farm. Moneypoint’s deep-water port and existing infrastructure will be repurposed as a construction and assembly center for floating wind turbines, creating a new industrial purpose for the site while supporting Ireland’s offshore renewable energy goals.
The communities of West Clare and the teams working at Moneypoint have been essential to Ireland’s electricity supply for nearly 40 years. Their contributions to the nation’s energy security highlight the human element of this energy transition story.
European momentum in abandoning coal power
Ireland’s coal phase-out is part of a broader European movement away from this carbon-intensive fuel source. With this closure, Ireland becomes the 15th European country to eliminate coal from its power generation mix, joining a growing list of nations prioritizing cleaner energy sources.
| Country Status | Number of Countries | Notable Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Already Coal-Free | 15 | Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Sweden |
| Phase-out Within 5 Years | 10 | Spain, Italy, Greece, France |
| No Confirmed Timeline | Several | Poland, Germany, Bulgaria |
The summer of 2025 could prove decisive for coal elimination across Europe. Both Spain and Italy are expected to complete their coal phase-outs in the coming months, though coal operations will continue temporarily in the Balearic Islands and Sardinia due to their isolated electrical systems.
Ten European countries have committed to abandoning coal within the next five years, including:
- Greece
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- France
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- Finland
- Macedonia
- Spain
- Italy
Future implications for European energy transition
The closure of Moneypoint and similar facilities across Europe signals a fundamental shift in the continent’s energy landscape. The accelerating pace of coal plant closures demonstrates the economic and environmental factors pushing utilities away from fossil fuels and toward renewable alternatives.
Repurposing existing energy infrastructure, as demonstrated by the Green Atlantic project, provides a blueprint for other countries looking to manage their energy transitions. By converting former coal plants into renewable energy hubs, nations can preserve jobs, utilize existing grid connections, and transform environmental liabilities into assets.
The synchronous condenser technology being deployed at Moneypoint addresses one of the key challenges in transitioning to renewable energy – maintaining grid stability with intermittent power sources. This innovative approach could become a standard component of coal-to-renewable conversions across Europe, enabling higher penetration of wind and solar energy without compromising system reliability.
As Europe moves toward a coal-free future, the focus is increasingly shifting to natural gas as a transitional fuel and to energy storage solutions that can support a fully renewable grid. Ireland’s journey from coal dependence to renewable leadership illustrates the practical pathways available to countries committed to decarbonization while maintaining energy security.
