asked the Minister for Energy, in view of the pollution from the coal burning station at Moneypoint, County Clare, if he has considered the possibility of hydro-electric schemes.
Written Answers. - Moneypoint ESB Station Emissions.
124.
Moneypoint is fitted with the latest "state of the art" smoke particulate removal technology. Pollutant emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX), are subject to control under the EC Directive on the reduction of emissions from large combustion plants. The ESB are complying fully with this Directive.
The ESB are already making full use of the large scale hydro potential available to them. A survey carried out in 1985 by An Foras Forbartha on behalf of my Department into the potential of small hydro in this country indicated that there was a total generating capacity of 38 Megawatts (MW) worth developing. Clearly, therefore, there is no prospect of hydro displacing such a large station as Moneypoint which has a capacity of 900 MW.
However, both my Department and the ESB are supportive of the further development of viable hydro resources. This is clearly evidenced through the involvement of the ESB in the construction of a number of small hydro schemes over the next few years under the EC Valoren Programme.