TIMOTHY'S VISIT TO DRAX POWER STATION
Monday 24 February 2003
Local MEP, Timothy Kirkhope visited AES Drax Power at Selby to congratulate the company on the way it is successfully tackling pollution and emissions at the plant.
During the timely visit, which came on the day the government is publishing its long-awaited Energy White Paper, the Conservative Member for Yorkshire and the Humber discussed with managers from the plant the impact of European Directives setting new emission limits on coal fired generators.
As Europe’s largest coal fired power station, AES Drax has led the way in tackling sulphur dioxide emissions through investing £680 million in plant which removes 90% of these emissions which cause acid rain. Currently less coal is being burnt at Drax because it can be burnt cheaper at stations that do not have such plant fitted and therefore do not have to pay the £30 million per year running costs.
AES Drax is calling on the Government to act to remedy this situation which is leading to higher SO2 emissions and also to more imported coal being burnt. Power station representatives raised with Mr Kirkhope the need for strict implementation of the new EU limits.
Mr Kirkhope toured the site to see the coal stocks, 96% of which come from UK sources. He also heard how the Company intends to explore the burning of biomass, in the form of milled palm nuts, to generate electricity which, if successful, will help to further reduce harmful emissions and help the Government to meet its targets for generating more power from renewable sources.
Mr. Kirkhope said: “I am delighted that AES Drax Power sources so much of its coal from the UK, and am looking forward to hearing about its very welcome initiatives in alternative energy sources. The AES Drax approach is not only good for the UK coal industry but also for the environment, which makes it a model for other plants in the UK and throughout Europe to follow, and I support its call for strict implementation of the new EU limits.”
He added: “What AES Drax has done here is proof that coal-fired Yorkshire power stations like this one at Selby should have a long-term future as part of the government’s mix of energy resources. I am convinced that the work that is being done here holds important lessons for other power stations in the UK and indeed throughout Europe. We still have large stocks of UK coal, and if we can burn these cleanly coal can still be an important provider of our future energy needs.”
