§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how soon he expects energy developments in Northern Ireland will enable requirements of EC directives on sulphur dioxide emissions from power stations to be complied with; and whether he envisages the use of natural gas for generating electricity to reduce noxious emissions from power stations in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. NeedhamI recently wrote to the chairman of Northern Ireland Electricity confirming that, if it is built as coal/oil-fired plant, the proposed phase II generating station at Kilroot would require flue gas desulphurisation. The letter also acknowledges that one of the alternative options, which envisages Kilroot phase II being completed as a natural gas fired plant, would satisfy the requirements of the EC large combustion plants directive. However, the technical and economic feasibility of using natural gas for power generation is still being assessed and no decision has yet been taken.