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Power Stations

Volume 408: debated on Wednesday 9 July 2003

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To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many, and what percentage of, power stations are fitted with flue gas desulphurisation equipment. [123813]

[holding answer 4 July 2003]: DUKES 2003 (to be published on 31 July 2003) lists 14 coal fired power stations with a total capacity of 23,214 MW; this excludes capacity which is mothballed or in receivership. In addition there exists dual fired plant (coal/gas or coal/oil) with a combined capacity 5,405 MW. The total UK coal fired plant including such dual fired installations hence comprises a total capacity of 28,619 MW; (28.6 GW).Three stations are currently fitted with flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) equipment: Drax, and Ratcliffe (combined total 5,870 MW) and West Burton. West Burton is not yet fully operational but this is anticipated by early 2004 producing then a total FGD capacity of 7,802 MW; (7.8 GW).Based on the full inclusion of West Burton, the percentage of UK coal fired plant capacity fitted with FGD is approximately 27 per cent. However the Environment Agency has also received applications for the installation of FGD at Cottam (2 GW), Eggborough (1 GW) and Rugeley (1 GW). Some additional installation activity is either under way or planned at these sites. Further stations are examining the feasibility of fitting FGD equipment.