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Should Coal Replace Coal? Options for the Irish Electricity Market

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  • SEÁN DIFFNEY

    (The Economic and Social Research Institute)

  • LAURA MALAGUZZI VALERI

    (The Economic and Social Research Institute)

  • DARRAGH WALSH

    (The Economic and Social Research Institute)

Abstract

The Moneypoint coal plant is nearing the end of its useful life and will need to be replaced. For Moneypoint’s replacement, we consider different types of baseload technologies: coal plants with and without carbon capture, combined-cycle gas plants and a nuclear plant. This paper compares how the different types of plant are likely to affect the net costs of the Single Electricity Market under a number of fossil fuel and carbon price scenarios and highlights their effects on short-run prices, emissions and energy security. We find that none of the plants considered is optimal over the full range of fuel and carbon scenarios considered and examine the advantages and disadvantages of delaying the decision. We also discuss why the commissioning of a nuclear plant is unlikely in Ireland in the near future.

Suggested Citation

  • Seán Diffney & Laura Malaguzzi Valeri & Darragh Walsh, 2012. "Should Coal Replace Coal? Options for the Irish Electricity Market," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 43(4), pages 561-596.
    • Handle: RePEc:eso:journl:v:43:y:2012:i:4:p:561-596
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    1. Turconi, R. & O’Dwyer, C. & Flynn, D. & Astrup, T., 2014. "Emissions from cycling of thermal power plants in electricity systems with high penetration of wind power: Life cycle assessment for Ireland," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 1-8.
    2. Curtis, John & Devitt, Niamh & di Cosmo, Valeria & Farrell, Niall & FitzGerald, John & Hyland, Marie & Lynch, Muireann & Lyons, Sean & McCoy, Daire & Malaguzzi Valeri, Laura & Walsh, Darragh, 2014. "Irish Energy Policy: An Analysis of Current Issues," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number rs37 edited by FitzGerald, John & Malaguzzi Valeri, Laura.
    3. Gorecki, Paul K., 2013. "Ensuring compatibility of the all-island electricity system with the target model: Fitting a square peg into a round hole?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 677-688.

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