asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the cost of fuel required for the generation of a unit of electricity at the turf station at Ferbane, County Offaly, for the year ended 31st March, 1958; and if he will give corresponding data in respect of the oil and coal fired stations operated by the E.S.B.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Generation of Electricity.
The fuel cost at each steam station per unit sent out will be set out, as on previous occasions, in the annual report of the E.S.B. for the year ended 31st March, 1958, which, it is expected, will be presented to the House of the Oireachtas about mid-July. In the board's report for 1956-57, the fuel costs for Ferbane station were not given as the station was in commission for the latter part of the year only. The report stated, however, that "from the preliminary results of the Ferbane generating station it is expected that milled peat will be cheaper than oil". I understand that the 1957-58 report is likely to show that this expectation was realised.