Vol. 436 No. 1
164 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, there are to build a peat-fired power station in the National Development Plan 1994-1999; the factors that will influence the location of same; if he will consider Littleton, County Tipperary, which is adjacent to Bord na Móna as a suitable location; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As referred to in the National Development Plan, I have recently received a proposal from Bord na Móna for the provision of a new 120MW peat-fired electricity generation station to be located in the East Midlands. Bord na Móna's choice of location was based on the result of a feasibility study which included a detailed survey into available peat resources. The conclusion which Bord na Móna reached was that the most appropriate location for such a station would be the East Midlands where peat resources are greatest. The Littleton group of bogs were not considered as containing sufficient peat to supply such a station and therefore not capable of meeting the requirements for the proposed station.
