Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. 

The future of Moneypoint is multifaceted and requires consideration of issues such as security of supply, system stability, competitiveness and sustainability. The working group set up in my Department is an internal group of officials working together to examine the key considerations in relation to the future of Moneypoint, including the overall fuel mix in the energy sector, analysis undertaken to date in relation to Moneypoint, and appropriate further research if considered necessary. The group consists of senior energy officials and meets as part of existing meeting structures.  

The objective of this working group is to gather the information and research necessary in order to inform policy decisions that relate to the future of Moneypoint. 

Key decisions on the future of Moneypoint will be taken before 2020. These decisions are likely to include policy decisions which will be made by me as Minister and commercial decisions which will be made by the ESB as owners and operators of Moneypoint.