Emmet Stagg
Question:16 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Energy if he will give an up to date report on any plans to decommission turf powered electricity stations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Stations.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:62 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Energy whether he has had discussions with the ESB on plans to rationalise their generating capacity; if he foresees any plant closures in the next three years; and the locations which would be affected.
Michael Moynihan
Question:80 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Energy if he has any plans to decommission any electricity generating stations in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:89 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Energy whether he has had discussions with the ESB on plans to rationalise their generating capacity; if he foresees any plant closures in the next three years; and the locations which would be affected.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 62, 80 and 89 together.
At present the only ESB power stations planned for closure are Allenwood on 31 March 1991 and Arigna on 31 December 1992. No other stations are planned for closure at this stage and peat fired stations will continue in operation as long as stocks last and there are no major capital investments required.
Is the Minister's reply implying that the ESB will not be reinvesting in their peat capacity to allow peat to be burned beyond the next ten years when it is expected that their capacity will no longer be up to scratch?
The position is that at present — I am careful to say that — the peat fired stations will continue so long as stocks last and so long as there is no requirement for new heavy capital investment.
Is it not the case that the life expectancy of peat outstrips the life expectancy of the peat burning stations and that without reinvestment by the ESB Bord na Móna will have to dramatically cut back on their activities?
I do not think so. The Deputy is being premature in making those suggestions. The plant is in first class order, as I understand it, and there does not seem to be any need in the immediate future for heavy capital investment. If that arises it will be examined.
I should like to ask the Minister if he has had any consultations with the ESB regarding the post-peat era in terms of usage of that fuel by the ESB and the likely consequences for employment. Has the Minister carried out any investigations into that? Has he had any consultations with the ESB and Bord na Móna on what is likely to happen in terms of job replacement when the station in Allenwood is decommissioned?
The Deputy will accept that this is principally a matter for the ESB. From their record one can see that they have always had great concern for their employees. I have no doubt that if problems arise the Deputy will make us aware of them. To date, I have not been asked to deal with any problem. If there is one that I am not aware of I would be happy to hear about it from the Deputy.
I should like to ask the Minister if he regards it as being within his brief to initiate discussions with the ESB bearing in mind the serious consequences for the area when the station closes.
Only if I consider it to be a matter of absolute necessity. However, the ESB have excellent competency in labour relations and in making arrangements where redundancies are inevitable, as in the case of Allenwood. There is no doubt that a suitable arrangement will be made between them and the union.