Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
679 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the criteria used in deciding to close the peat station at Bellacorick, County Mayo; and the Bord na Móna estimate of the peat reserves at this north Mayo area both in the ownership of Bord na Móna and otherwise. [21254/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra695 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason it is necessary to let staff of a power station (details supplied) in County Mayo go in January 2005, when there is still bog at same to be used up; and if Bord na Móna will make sure that the employees are retained until the bog is finished. [22009/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 695 together.
The tripartite agreement, which was signed in February 2000 between the Department, ESB management and the ESB group of unions, provided for the phased closure of all existing peat-fired power stations, including Bellacorick, and the construction of two new ESB-owned peat-fired power stations at Lanesboro and Shannonbridge.
The timing and management of the closure of the Bellacorick power station and the shutdown of the related peat production are matters for ESB and Bord na Móna, respectively, and I do not propose to intervene.
The Bord na Móna estimate of the peat reserves in its ownership at this north Mayo area is 3,945,000 extractable tonnes. However, I am advised that the amount of peat that can be recovered economically is much less than this. In addition, several areas of bog owned by Bord na Móna have been transferred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for conservation. Other sections are no longer licensed for production and are now under a waste licence for the Corrib Gas project. I am advised, therefore, that the total amount available in the context of generation from peat is less than 2 million tonnes.
Bord na Móna is not in a position to provide estimates of peat reserves in areas not owned by the company.
680 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if it was a precondition of EU support for the three new midland peat stations (details supplied) to close the peat station at Bellacorick, County Mayo. [21255/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public service obligation, PSO, arrangements in respect of peat generation, for security of supply reasons, were notified by my Department to the EU Commission and examined under state aid rules. In its decision dated 30 October 2001, the EU Commission noted that the most economic option for peat generation was chosen, whilst maintaining compliance with environment and safety regulations, so as to allow ESB to fulfil its public service obligation.
The PSO notification explicitly detailed the accelerated closure of the existing old inefficient peat fired generation stations, including the Bellacorick station, on a phased basis as an integral element of the package. It also provided for their replacement by the construction of two new environmentally friendly and more efficient peat plants at Lanesboro, County Longford and Shannonbridge, County Offaly. I do not believe there is an adequate basis to reopen the whole peat question with the EU Commission.
Furthermore, the EU Commission noted that the ESB would meet its PSO obligation by also purchasing and using peat generated electricity from the independent Edenderry station, that power purchase agreement having been awarded by competitive tender.
These PSO arrangements in respect of peat generation are underpinned by the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations Order) 2002.
