The ESB has announced a new development at the Moneypoint site in Co. Clare.
It says the new project will be capable of powering 84 per cent of the country's homes.
The multi-billion euro investment will involve a switch from the coal plant to a floating offshore wind farm.
Moneypoint: Coal Burning To End
The plant at Moneypoint has been operating for over 30 years.
It is capable of producing a quarter of the country's power.
But the government's committed to ending coal burning there by 2025.
Around 100 workers have lost their jobs.
This new project will see wind turbines constructed off the Clare and Kerry coast.
The first of them are due to be up and running by 2028.
ESB Executive Director Jim Dollard says it'll be a significant boost for the area:
He says around 600 construction jobs will be created.
That's added to jobs in maintenance and service in the whole facility, "and beyond."
Press Release: ESB Announces ‘GREEN ATLANTIC @ Moneypoint’
Link: https://t.co/VscCgdsBgg#esbbrighterfuture pic.twitter.com/pbEZQcLyUR— ESB Group (@ESBGroup) April 9, 2021
"We Could Do This In Cork, Galway, Donegal Or Wexford"
Environment Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan says this will be the future of the energy system.
He says other areas could also benefit:
"There's opportunities to do this in Cork, Galway, Donegal and Wexford, all around the coast."
He says it's something the country can use to it's "competitive advantage."
The plans also involve the development of a green hydrogen facility.
With the zero carbon fuel being used in sectors like transport.
The Taoiseach says today's announcement is a big step towards Ireland achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
