Vol. 482 No. 6
116 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the studies, if any, her Department have undertaken in relation to the cost and environmental consequences of the use of varying types of energy resources in the production of electricity, particularly the relative merits or demerits between oil, coal, gas, peat, hydro or alternative fuel sources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18563/97]
My Department has not undertaken studies in relation to the cost and environmental consequences of the use of varying types of energy resources in the production of electricity. However, such issues are examined on an ongoing basis by the ESB to ensure the optimal usage of resources in the electricity production process.
Taking into account such factors as fuel costs, capital costs and operation and maintenance costs, it is generally accepted that gas tends to be the cheapest fuel followed by oil and coal and then peat, wind and hydro.
For generation capacity planning purposes, the ESB continuously tracks estimated electricity production costs and emission performance for new electricity generating technologies using a variety of fuels. This enables future generation plans to be developed which have least overall system cost while complying with emission constraints.
