October of next year has been identified as the planned start for the commercial operation of the Synchronous Compensator at Moneypoint.
ESB briefed Clare’s local and national politicians in recent days on the ongoing work for their Green Atlantic plans at Moneypoint.
Four main projects are associated with the development. This includes the Synchronous Compensator on the Moneypoint site, the onshore hub upon which it is planned toconstruct the wind turbine foundations and assemble the wind turbines before floating them to site, the offshore project which will be spread across at least two phases totalling 1,400MW, with the first phase planned for delivery in 2028. The medium term Hydrogen facility onsite which will convert excess offshore wind energy to Hydrogen for storage and other uses is the final project in the plans.
Work on the construction of the Synchronous Compensator is due to commence shortly with the installation of the main equipment from Siemens due to occur in April 2022. Commissioning of the new plant is planned for mid-2022 with commercial operation in October 2022.
When complete, this compensator will be the first in the country and will incorporate the world’s largest flywheel used for grid stability purposes which will promote the connection of greater volumes of renewable energy onto the electricity system.
According to ESB, work on the onshore hub is progressing well with ongoing engagement with Clare County Council and other key stakeholders in the region. The planning application process has commenced with the appointment of an environmental consultant carry out early stage site assessments and long lead ecology surveys. An engineering consultant is due to be appointed imminently to develop a preliminary design.
A socio-economic report assessing the potential job creation and value to the economy of the projected is also to be completed.
Engagement continues with the Department of Energy and Climate Change on the utilisation of ESB’s hybrid connection at Moneypoint and acceleration of plans for floating offshore projects while the overall design for the offshore wind projects is to be finalised with ESB and Equinor.
Members of the project team are currently in the process of reviewing the Government’s recently published documentation on the Maritime Area Planning Bill to ascertain its implications for plans at Moneypoint.
