§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the number of days in 1993 and 1994 that power generation desulphurisation plant was switched off.
§ Mr. AtkinsDrax and Ratcliffe-on-Soar are the only two power stations fitted with flue gas desulphurisation equipment; installation of FGD at these stations is still in progress.
The first two FGD units at Drax have been operational since February 1994. From then until the end of 1994 they have operated for 98 per cent. of the time that the boilers to which they are linked were operating. The FGD units were off-line for the remainder of the time primarily due to a shut-down for a planned inspection.
The first FGD unit at Ratcliffe-on-Soar has been operational since March 1994. From then until the end of 1994 it has operated for 95 per cent. of the time that the boilers to which it is linked were operating. The FGD unit
410Wwas off-line for the remainder of the time for inspection work and running repairs-fault rectification.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by power station the funds received from the European Economic Community for desulphurisation plant.
§ Mr. AtkinsI am not aware that the two generating companies in England and Wales have received any such funds.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which coal-burning power stations currently have desulphurisation plants.
§ Mr. AtkinsAt present, flue gas desulphurisation equipment operates, or is under construction, for 4 GW of capacity at National Power's Drax power station and for 2 GW of capacity at Powergen's Radcliffe-on-Soar power station.