Kilroot gas turbine delay raises energy supply concerns

Spanish Market: Coal
25/09/23

The 513MW EP-operated Kilroot coal-fired power plant in Northern Ireland will go ahead with its planned closure on 30 September despite new gas turbines not arriving in time, raising concerns about Northern Ireland's energy security this winter.

EP confirmed to Argus that Kilroot will close as planned in line with the notice issue to grid operator Soni in September 2020.

"There is a delay in the delivery of… gas turbines… to coincide with the retirement of the existing coal units," Soni said. The operator's assessment of supply for the upcoming winter period subsequently "point to an increased risk" because of "buffer margins for electricity generation being tighter than normal standards", Soni said.

But the likelihood of "any mass, unplanned blackouts in Northern Ireland remains very low and highly unlikely" as "there will be sufficient generation available to meet consumer demand" in the event of expected operating conditions, Soni said.

Soni said it is able to pull on several levers to ensure supply meets demand. This includes generation from smaller gas turbines, batteries and "maximising the availability of imports from Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland".

Soni will work with partners and the generator to accelerate the delivery of the two new turbines, it sai.

Kilroot generated just 20MW from January–August this year, down from 240MW last year, data from research institute Fraunhofer ISE show.

Coal-fired generation represented 9.8pc of Northern Ireland's total generation from September 2022-August 2023, according to data from Irish grid operator EirGrid. Gas-fired generation represented 50.4pc, renewables 37.3pc and total power imports 2.4pc.

Coal imports into Belfast also fell in the first eight months of this year. Arrivals at Belfast from January-August fell by 33.7pc on the year to 284,000t, all of which arrived from Puerto Brisas and Puerto Nuevo in Colombia, shipping data show.

Soni will publish its winter outlook and generation capacity statement in the next few weeks.

By Evan Millard

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14/05/25

India’s coal imports drop in Apr 2024-Feb 2025

Singapore, 14 May (Argus) — India's imports of all types of coal declined on the year from April 2024 to February 2025 because domestic supplies rose, the federal coal ministry said. The country's imports of all types of coal — including thermal and coking coal — fell by 9.2pc from a year earlier to 220.3mn t during the 11-month period, the ministry said. India's production rose by 5.5pc from a year earlier to 929.15mn t over the same period. The drop in imports resulted in foreign exchange savings of about $6.93bn, it said. Imports declined as the country continued to boost output, in line with federal efforts to expand commercial coal mining and coking coal output as well as reduce imports, the ministry said. Increases in domestic supplies could weigh on demand for imports, although key coal-consuming industries could continue to source seaborne material for their operations, especially as domestic coal is comparatively inferior in quality. Utilities' imports for blending with domestic coal fell by 39pc during the period, the ministry said, without elaborating on the volume. The drop comes as Delhi did not renew its order on imported-domestic coal blending after the directives expired in October last year. But it has extended its directive requiring imported coal-fired utilities to boost generation until 30 June , a move that could support demand for seaborne coal during the peak summer period. Imports Imports would continue to be part of the mix to power India's economic growth, especially as it serves as a primary energy source for critical industries including power, steel, and cement, the ministry added. Imports have been vital to meet the needs of key sectors because India faces challenges in meeting the growing domestic demand, especially for coking coal and high-grade thermal coal, the ministry said. India imported 38.29mn t of thermal coal in January-March, down from 41.87mn t a year earlier, according to data from shipbroker Interocean. Imports may have remained under pressure in April, with India's seaborne thermal coal receipts estimated at 15.77mn t for the month, down from 15.84mn t a year earlier, according to trade analytics platform Kpler. By Saurabh Chaturvedi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Australia’s Macquarie unwinds coking coal funding ban

13/05/25

Australia’s Macquarie unwinds coking coal funding ban

Sydney, 13 May (Argus) — Australian investment bank Macquarie has changed its investment rules to fund coking coal mines, in a partial reversal of its 2021 coal financing ban. The bank made the change in November 2024, it said in its annual report for the year ended 31 March, released last week. It will now make short-term funding deals lasting less than 12 months for coking coal developments, to help producers buy, expand, or run coking coal mines. Macquarie's rule change still bans long-term investments in coking coal projects. There are few viable alternatives to coking coal for the steel and industrial sectors, Macquarie said. The company has maintained its ban on thermal coal financing, apart from specific emissions reduction projects. It is also working on supporting emissions reduction projects in the Australian oil and gas sectors, although it did not disclose which projects. Macquarie is not the only bank moving away from fossil fuel financing. Australian bank ANZ will stop lending capital to companies heavily involved in the thermal coal sector by 2030. It reduced its lending to thermal coal mining firms by 85pc between 2015 and July 2024,it said in July last year. It also stopped [funding new upstream oil and gas projects](https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2566501), with limited exceptions, in May 2024. Macquarie has expanded its climate finance role over recent years. The bank set up a renewable energy business to fund utility-scale projects in Australia and New Zealand in November 2023. Macquarie is also involved in carbon markets. The company is continuing to help clients with compliance and voluntary carbon markets, including in newer locations like China, the company said, without disclosing further details. It has also purchased and retired 59,164t of CO2 equivalent of Australian Carbon Credit Units and other voluntary offsets to cover business travel in its 2024-25 financial year ended 31 March. By Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

New Zealand’s Fonterra starts electrode boiler

09/05/25

New Zealand’s Fonterra starts electrode boiler

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US producer Core raises coal sales volume outlook

08/05/25

US producer Core raises coal sales volume outlook

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Australian renewable projects gain power grid access

08/05/25

Australian renewable projects gain power grid access

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