Vol. 400 No. 9
9 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Energy the estimated cost of installing a flue gas desulphurisation unit at Moneypoint, County Clare; the effect it would have on discharges of pollutants from the plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Energy the estimated cost of installing a flue gas desulphurisation unit at Moneypoint, County Clare; the effect it would have on discharges of pollutants from the plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Priority Question No. 9 and Question No. 24 together.
The estimated capital cost of installing desulphurisation equipment at Moneypoint would be £150 million for retrofitting, including interest during construction. The additional operating costs at the station would be about £15 million per annum. Replacement generation costs caused by temporary plant shutdown for the purposes of installation of the equipment are estimated at £10 million for each of the three closures.
The effect of desulphurisation equipment on discharges to the atmosphere from Moneypoint would be to reduce the annual emissions of sulphur dioxide from the station by about 33,000 tonnes. There will, on the other hand, be an increase in the annual emissions of carbon dioxide, a contributor to the greenhouse effect, by about 23,000 tonnes. In addition, there would be some additional CO2 emissions from other generating plants to compensate for efficiency losses at Moneypoint which could result from the installation of FGD equipment. There would also be additional waste disposal problems due to limestone and liquid effluents arising from the process of desulphurisation.
Has the Minister sought EC support for such a project, given that the current position in regard to sulphur dioxide emissions is based on a derogation from EC policy? Has he sought EC funding to help support the cost of this project?
I have not. It does not arise. The limitation on emissions which we have signed on for does not place responsibility solely on the ESB. Power stations contribute only a certain percentage of sulphur emissions. Industry also has a role to play. There are policy decisions and energy management measures which could enable us to live within the limits we have agreed to achieve without necessarily involving ourselves in this huge investment. It is too early to state whether it will ever be necessary to instal desulphurisation equipment.
