16. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there are alternative plans for energy security given the planned closure of Moneypoint in 2029; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44559/26]

In June 2025, Ireland successfully phased out coal fired power generation at Moneypoint, marking a significant milestone in Ireland's energy transition. Moneypoint is now operated as a backup unit to mitigate any shortfall in electricity generation capacity until enduring generation capacity delivers. Once the capacity of Moneypoint is no longer required by the system for security of supply purposes, the existing generation plant at Moneypoint will be fully decommissioned. The Moneypoint site will then transform into a renewable energy hub to meet the future zero carbon needs of the country.

Separate to the Moneypoint site, the Government has set a target of having at least 2 gigawatts of new, flexible, gas-fired generation capacity by 2030 in our Climate Action Plans. This is to ensure secure generation of electricity at time of low renewable output and/or high demand.

This 2 gigawatts of dispatchable generation capacity procured via the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism auctions are delivered by developers in the open market to be enduring generation capacity that will support a renewables led electricity system into the 2030s. The successful and expeditious delivery of all capacity market projects is a critical component in ensuring enduring security of supply and will remove the need for a generator of last resort like Moneypoint.

EirGrid has stated in their 2026-2035 All-Island Resource Adequacy Assessment (AIRAA) that overall electricity demand is forecast to grow by 40% in the period to 2035, driven by the growth in new technology loads along with the electrification of heat and transport. This forecast also finds a significant improvement in adequacy from 2029 as new capacity delivers and the Celtic Interconnector to France come online.