asked the Minister for Energy if the question of installing a second turbine at Ballyshannon, County Donegal hydro-electric station has been considered as part of the energy conservation programme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballyshannon Hydro-electric Station.
9.
I am informed by the ESB that there are already two turbines in operation at the Ballyshannon station. The question of installing an additional turbine is kept under constant review by the board.
I understand the position in Ballyshannon is that space has been allocated for an extra turbine on the Erne. The general opinion seems to be that there is not enough water available to install an extra turbine. Would the Minister explain this? I understand that the level of the water behind the turbines only falls by one foot, that there are hundreds of feet of water and plenty of water available. Is it not a fact that the Government will not allocate the money to erect this extra turbine?
No. The ESB have said that the total flow of the River Erne is fully utilised by the existing two turbines and a further unit would, therefore, be incapable of providing additional electrical energy in substitution for that, for example, derived from imported oil or something like that. The value of installing another turbine, if one were to be installed, would be to increase the board's total installed capacity and thereby help them in meeting peak demand. There would be no addition to the base load but there would be an addition to the capacity to meet the peak demand. In fact, that could result in a certain reduction in the contribution to the base load from Ballyshannon. Heretofore, the addition of another turbine for the purpose of dealing with the peak load has not been economical. But it has been kept consistently under review so that, if it does become economical, it will be done. That is probably why the Deputy says there is a space left there for the installation of this turbine.
Would it not be economical to install this?
I understand it is not at present but it is being kept continually under review.