Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Electricity Generation.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

606 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has investigated the possibility of burning waste paper in some of the power generating stations in view of the fact this would appear to be a viable way of using waste paper which is causing a heavy increase in the use of landfill sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17992/99]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace):

I understand that in 1997 the ESB considered the use of waste paper as a possible fuel in power generation plant. However, it was concluded that existing boilers in ESB power plants are not suitable for the combustion of such waste and that its use in solid fuel plant would require extensive modification of, and major investment in, these facilities.