HL Deb 19 February 1990 vol 516 c133WA
Lord Moran

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is the case as reported in the Financial Times on 23rd January 1990, that they may allow the electricity supply industry to drop plans to complete a £2 billion investment programme to cut acid rain from Britain's power stations, and that the full programme agreed in 1988 for the fitting of flue gas desulphurisation equipment may not therefore be carried out.

Viscount Ullswater

The Government are determined to implement in full the EC Large Combustion Plants Directive. This directive commits the UK to reduce its emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from existing plants, such as fossil fuelled power stations, but does not specify the means by which this has to be done. Retrofitting flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) equipment will play an important part. Contracts have already been placed for 4gw of FGD equipment at Drax power station, and futher retrofits are in prospect. However, other measures, such as the burning of low sulphur fuels, including gas, are likely to contribute.