Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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1506. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for a successor to the Moneypoint plant in terms of energy generation in view of the fact that it is within ten years of its end of life; and if it will be replaced from clean energy sources by 2025. [1503/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Energy White Paper, 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030', published in December 2015, notes that Moneypoint, Ireland’s only coal burning power station, contributes to diversifying Ireland’s fuel mix and the provision of competitively priced electricity. The station is owned by the ESB and the White Paper recognises that key decisions on its future will have to be taken before 2020 as the station will reach the end of its operating life in its current configuration in 2025.

In addition, the White Paper recognises that increasing ‘cost of carbon’ charges on Green House Gas emissions will drive up the cost of carbon-intensive energy sources and lead firms and consumers to adopt low carbon fuels and energy efficient technologies. It is anticipated therefore that the phasing out of higher carbon fuels will be achieved by a combination of sustainable policy measures and consumer reaction to the higher price of carbon intensive fuels.

The May 2016 Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to establish a National Dialogue on Climate Change, with one of its tasks to identify the most suitable  replacement low-carbon generation technology for Moneypoint. This builds on the commitment in the Energy White Paper to establish a National Energy Forum to maximise and maintain consensus on the broad policy measures set out in the White Paper required to ensure the transition to a low-carbon energy future. 

As part of the work being done by my Department, a Working Group has been established to look at the overall fuel mix in the energy sector, including the role of coal and possible replacement fuels, and the role Moneypoint plays in relation to security of supply and the operation and stability of the electricity grid.