HC Deb 20 July 1988 vol 137 c682W
49. Mr. Wall

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what detailed assessment he has made as to whether sulphur dioxide emissions will be significantly reduced by retrofitting by 1993 three power stations with flue gas desulphurisation equipment.

Mr. Moynihan

Retrofitting one 2,000 MW coal-fired power station with flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) will eliminate about 140,000 tonnes per annum of sulphur dioxide emissions (assuming use of coal of average sulphur content for United Kingdom power stations). The Government do not consider that it would be practicable to complete by 1993 a 6,000 MW FGD programme but the CEGB's programme announced in 1986 envisaged commissioning 1,330 MW capacity by the end of that year.