asked the Minister for Transport and Power when it is proposed to commence work on the new power station at Arigna, County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arigna Power Station.
2.
My Department, with the aid of specialist consultants, has carried out a very full investigation, over the last few years, into the technical and economic possibilities of utilising the reserves of "crow" coal in the Arigna area for the generation of electricity. The coal in question, consisting of up to 54 per cent ash, is much inferior to the coal which is used in the existing power station.
While the project is technically feasible, the economics of using the "crow" coal in an additional station at Arigna have been found to be highly unfavourable. Comparing the capital cost of a station burning 54 per cent ash "crow" coal with the most efficient type of station, the additional cost becomes prohibitively high and would be equivalent to a subsidy of £1,000 per year per man employed and exceeds any similar type of subvention available to stimulate industry in the West. Moreover, it is essential at the present time to maintain the cost of electricity at the lowest possible level.
The investigation carried out by my Department has been protracted because I have been reluctant to abandon the hope that a reasonably economic solution could be found to the problem of utilising the reserves of "crow" coal in the Arigna area.
It is a matter of great regret to me that the disappointing results of the investigation, particularly in the present difficult financial situation, should rule out the practicability of asking the ESB to undertake the erection of a new station to utilise the reserves of "crow" coal in the Arigna area.