asked the Minister for Transport and Power the ash content of the coal that is being considered for use by the ESB in the proposed coal-fired generating station; the country from which it will be imported; and the effect on the balance of payments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal Fired Generating Station.
25.
I am informed by the ESB that a feasibility study for a major coal-fired station is at present in hand. Until that study has been completed no decisions can be taken about the main design parameters of this station. It is likely, however, that the station would be designed for an average ash content of around 15 per cent.
No contracts have been placed for coal but suppliers from Poland, Australia, South America, South Africa and Nigeria have expressed interest. The effect, if any, on the balance of payments will be determined by the relative costs of imports of coal and oil.
Is there no place in this development for the use of Arigna coal and particularly the higher ash coal?
I think I informed the Deputy before Christmas that the ESB went into this very thoroughly since the oil crisis. It would not be economic to use the Arigna crow coal which has an ash content very much higher than 15 per cent. I think it has a 40 per cent to 50 per cent ash content which makes it uneconomic to use, even with the present high cost of oil.
Surely the Minister is aware that there is a power station in Arigna using Arigna coal dust?
There are two separate types of coal in Arigna. There is the ordinary top seam coal which is being used——
Is it not possible to have another station?
The seam Arigna are using is sufficient and they can take that. What Deputy Gibbons is referring to is a further seam of coal below that which is called crow coal and is less combustible than the upper seam. This is the one the ESB examined recently and they found it would not be economic to quarry it or mine it.