On June 20,2025,Ireland became Europe’s 15th coal-free country by ceasing coal power generation at the 915 MW Moneypoint plant in County Clare.Operated by ESB and commissioned in the mid-1980s,the plant originally addressed energy needs during the 1970s oil crises.With Ireland’s growing renewable energy capacity,coal use has diminished.In 2024,wind power accounted for 37%(11.4 TWh)of electricity generation,while solar,at 0.97 TWh,continues to set new records,with stakeholders optimistic about its growth.
Post-closure,Moneypoint will serve as a backup facility,using heavy fuel oil under emergency directives from EirGrid,Ireland’s transmission system operator,until 2029.This aligns with ESB and EirGrid’s plan to phase out coal-fired generation by the end of 2025,removing Moneypoint from the wholesale electricity market.
Alexandru Mustață,campaigner at Europe’s Beyond Fossil Fuels,stated:“Ireland has quietly rewritten its energy story,replacing toxic coal with homegrown renewable power.But this isn’t‘job done’.The government’s priority now must be building a power system for a renewable future;one with the storage,flexibility,and grid infrastructure needed to run fully on clean,domestic renewable electricity.”
Jerry Mac Evilly,Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth Ireland,urged:“We also can’t ignore that the government is targeting the installation of at least 2 GW of gas power plants with no strategy to reduce Ireland’s dangerous gas dependency.”He emphasized minimizing oil backup at Moneypoint and halting data center expansion to reduce fossil gas reliance.
Ireland’s coal phase-out sets an example for Europe,where 23 countries have committed to ending coal use,according to Beyond Fossil Fuels.Italy and mainland Spain are expected to become coal-free this summer with the closure of their remaining coal plants.
The Moneypoint closure highlights Ireland’s shift toward renewable energy,reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable energy future while addressing the need for enhanced grid infrastructure and energy storage.
