GWM14903 ESB Moneypoint Security of Supply Project – Ash Injection Systems

Description

The Electricity System Operator has identified a significant supply deficit in the winters 2023/29. As a result, the CRU and Eirgrid have made a decision to extend the operation of the older generating units until replacement capacity is operational. For this purpose ESB Moneypoint has entered into a TCM agreement which will see the Coal fired plant transition to HFO and remain available for the period 2025 to 2029. Given the criticality of this Security of Supply contact, and the transition away from Coal, it is imperative that ash injection systems are installed in the Common Batching Plant and unitised FGD by July and December 2025 respectively. Considering that HFO/Coal mix will be fired in the 3 x 305mw units during the transition period Oct 2024 to Dec 2025, and HFO only from December 2025, there will be substantially less fly ash volume available to support Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) bed stability in each unit and the FGD by-product landfill batching plant. The re-introduction of the ash back into the 3 x Unitised FGD’s and common batching plant will be from excavated ash in the onsite Ash Storage Area (ASA). The Contracting Entity intends to procure a contract for the design, manufacture and installation of 3 FGD ash injection and 1 batching plant ash injection systems. ESB as the contracting entity, will be responsible for reclaiming the ash from the ASA and locating it into newly designed and constructed ash unloading facility, at the base of the planned injection systems. The specific characteristics of the stored fly ash to be re-introduced back into the process are as follows, moisture range of 25 to 45 percent with a density of 0.7 to 0.9 tonnes, cubic meters. The Electricity System Operator has identified a significant supply deficit in the winters 2023/29. As a result, the CRU and Eirgrid have made a decision to extend the operation of the older generating units until replacement capacity is operational. For this purpose ESB Moneypoint has entered into a TCM agreement which will see the Coal fired plant transition to HFO and remain available for the period 2025 to 2029. Given the criticality of this Security of Supply contact, and the transition away from Coal, it is imperative that ash injection systems are installed in the Common Batching Plant and unitised FGD by July and December 2025 respectively. Considering that HFO/Coal mix will be fired in the 3 x 305mw units during the transition period Oct 2024 to Dec 2025, and HFO only from December 2025, there will be substantially less fly ash volume available to support Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) bed stability in each unit and the FGD by-product landfill batching plant. The re-introduction of the ash back into the 3 x Unitised FGD’s and common batching plant will be from excavated ash in the onsite Ash Storage Area (ASA). The Contracting Entity intends to procure a contract for the design, manufacture and installation of 3 FGD ash injection and 1 batching plant ash injection systems. ESB as the contracting entity, will be responsible for reclaiming the ash from the ASA and locating it into newly designed and constructed ash unloading facility, at the base of the planned injection systems. The specific characteristics of the stored fly ash to be re-introduced back into the process are as follows, moisture range of 25 to 45 percent with a density of 0.7 to 0.9 tonnes, cubic meters.