HL Deb 22 July 1987 vol 488 cc1474-5WA
Lord Rea

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (i) why, in view of the level of sulphur emissions from the United Kingdom, only 3 "retrofit" desulphurising units are being authorised for the CEGB;
  2. (ii) by how much this will reduce SO2, emission from the United Kingdom as a whole;
  3. (iii) what type of technology is envisaged; and
  4. (iv) whether it is intended that the cost should be passed on to the consumer by raising electricity prices, and if so by approximately how much?

Viscount Davidson

The UK has already achieved substantial reductions in total sulphur emissions and this trend is expected to continue in the long term. The programme proposed by the CEGB to "retrofit" 6000 MW of existing plant with desulphurisation equipment, together with its commitment to fit similar equipment to new coal-fired stations, will support achievement of the Government's aim of a 30 per cent. reduction in the UK's total emissions from a 1980 base date by the late nineteen-nineties.

When complete, the "retrofit" programme is expected to reduce emissions from the stations in question by some 90 per cent., equivalent to a total of 400–500,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide annually.

The choice of the type of desulphurisation process to be installed at existing or future power stations is a matter for the CEGB, which is considering a number of different processes.

The cost of installing and operating the desulphurisation plant in question will be borne by the electricity consumer. This might eventually result in an increase in the price of electricity of up to 3 per cent.