*Photograph: Fergal Clohessy

Fear has been expressed that ESB could follow the example of Bord na Mona by announcing sudden job losses in the future at its Moneypoint power station.

At the end of October, Bord na Mona announced they were cutting 430 jobs as it moves away from peat harvesting by 2025 under its decarbonisation agenda and begins closing productive bogs.

Speaking at the adjourned November meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Gabriel Keating asked for the local authority to “invite representatives from the ESB to brief members on the future of the Moneypoint Power Station in view of Ireland’s commitments on climate change and recent development at Bord na Mona”.

“There’s an awful lot of articles about ESB in Moneypoint, they are a really important employer in West Clare, it is important that they come and meet us. We generally hear about these things too late like Bord na Mona. Whatever is happening in the future, we need to know,” the Fine Gael councillor added.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Ian Lynch admitted staff were worried about their future. “There is talk on the ground and people are getting concerned, the fear is they might convert to gas which would reduce the amount of people working there. We need to find clarity on this for once and for all”.

Council CEO, Pat Dowling assured elected officials that they are working on the issue. “It is a very important matter. We have been involved in detailed discussions with management and have met the station manager, we have offered any support to them. They are currently engaged in a strategic process for post 2025 era when they won’t be using fossil fuels. At the moment they’re engaged in a planning process, by middle of next year they will be in discussion to reveal where the journey will take them. We make it our business to meet them and bring ourselves up to speed and we have developed a very good working relationship”.

When contacted by The Clare Echo, a spokesperson for ESB outlined that as part of their Brighter Future strategy they are committed to reducing the carbon intensity of electricity they generate by over two-thirds by 2030. “This involves the planned transition out of coal and other carbon fuels. ESB is developing a number of options for Moneypoint as part of the transition to a secure and affordable low carbon future. In developing these plans, ESB is keenly aware of the important challenges of keeping electricity costs down and assuring the security of supply and fuel diversity benefits currently provided by Moneypoint”.

Although the representative said they will assess different options for the future of the plant, no commitment was given to the 194 staff that their jobs will be safe. “ESB will continue to explore the various options for the future of Moneypoint, noting that large-scale generation projects take years to develop, consent and realise. Lower-carbon options for Moneypoint include generating electricity using biomass as the fuel source, fitting carbon capture technology to remove the carbon dioxide from its exhaust, or replacing the power station with a new gas-fired station”.

Related News

Paula Kearney GCC Biodiversity Officer, Ciar O Toole Senior Ecologist MARA, Minister Timmy Dooley Karin Dubsky Coastwatch-2
Water quality protection comes to the surface at Salthill workshop
kilrush district court 1
Judge rejects 'sleepwalking' defence to convict Shragh drunk driver
vaughans garden centre 1
Ennis garden centre burglar led Gardaí to his home with trail of compost on footpath
le19 gabriel keating 1
'People need to put their hand in their pocket we need more hotels in West Clare' - councillors stress need to increase overnight stays in Clare

Advertisement

Latest News
clare v offaly 23-03-25 manus doherty keelan sexton 1
The Water Break: Make or break for Peter Keane & Clare footballers in Munster semi-final
cork v clare u20 01-04-25 luke pyne 3
Ruthless Kerry finish off Clare's U20 campaign
clare v leitrim 02-05-25 peter keane 1
'Worry is like a rocking chair it gets you nowhere' - Keane focused on Tipp showdown not potential final with native Kerry
Paula Kearney GCC Biodiversity Officer, Ciar O Toole Senior Ecologist MARA, Minister Timmy Dooley Karin Dubsky Coastwatch-2
Water quality protection comes to the surface at Salthill workshop
kilrush district court 1
Judge rejects 'sleepwalking' defence to convict Shragh drunk driver
Premium
kilrush district court 1
Judge rejects 'sleepwalking' defence to convict Shragh drunk driver
vaughans garden centre 1
Ennis garden centre burglar led Gardaí to his home with trail of compost on footpath
clare v cork u20 26-03-25 james hegarty 2
'We have to raise our levels for Tipperary' - Fahy
clare v tipperary minor 16-04-24 conor burke 3
Brilliant Burke hits Déise for 17 as Clare minors record back to back wins
le19 gabriel keating 1
'People need to put their hand in their pocket we need more hotels in West Clare' - councillors stress need to increase overnight stays in Clare

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement