HC Deb 28 July 1977 vol 936 cc558-9W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate, through the use of tall chimney stacks at power stations in the United Kingdom, of the ejection of hot gases at velocity; what volume of United Kingdom sulphur he estimates falls on Scandinavian soil; and what steps he is taking to abate the nuisance.

Mr. Eadie

The results of a recent OECD study in which the United Kingdom participated suggested that in 1974 some 100,000 tonnes of sulphur originating in the United Kingdom—less than four per cent. of the sulphur emitted in the United Kingdom—were deposited on Norway and Sweden, together with sulphur originating in other countries. These figures are subject to a wide margin of error and are for one year only. The study did not attempt to estimate what proportion of transported sulphur originates from tall chimney stacks at power stations. But power stations account for about half of total emission in the United Kingdom. Further concerted international studies are required to establish the pattern of sulphur transport between countries more precisely, its environmental effects and the cost/benefit of the possible means of control before decisions can be reached on United Kingdom policy.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what would be the cost of removing sulphur in power station stacks in the United Kingdom, namely by the use of scrubbers, etc., rather than by the use of tall stack ejection into the atmosphere.

Mr. Eadie

The Central Electricity Generating Board informs me that the current estimate of the capital cost of flue gas desulphurisation plant for coal and oil fired power stations is about £65 per KW of generating capacity. If applied to the total oil and coal generating capacity in England and Wales presently standing at about 52 million KW, this would imply a total capital cost of desulphurisation plant of the order of £3,400 million. The annual operating cost of such plant, including capital repayment, would be about £900 million. Tall chimneys would still be required to deal with the remaining sulphur and other emissions. These figures do not include power stations in Scotland or Northern Ireland which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the quantity of sulphur ejected into the atmosphere as sulphur dioxide annually by existing power stations within a 50-mile radius of Belvoir.

Mr. Eadie

I am informed by the CEGB that it estimates that power stations within a 50-mile radius of the village of Belvoir emitted about 375,000 tonnes of sulphur in 1976–77. The amount is unlikely to vary significantly in 1977–78.