NIAER Regrets Government Consent to Kilroot Power Station
Following the announcement by DETI giving consent to Kilroot to install new a Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) equipment Dermot MacCann speaking on behalf of the Authority said:
‘The Authority has consistently opposed the fitting of FGD to Kilroot which is a relatively inefficient and dirty power station. It opposed the granting of planning permission at the PAC in August and in its submission to DETI outlined its case for not granting Article 39 consent.
The Authority understands that the Department, based on legal advice received, took the view that it was unable to refuse Article 39 consent. While the Authority appreciates the difficulties facing officials and Ministers on the issue it can only regret that Government, firstly as a result of the original botched privatisation of electricity in Northern Ireland and secondly, through what must be viewed as an inadequate planning and consent framework, is unable to prevent an outcome which is clearly contrary to its wider energy and environmental policy objectives.
The Authority will continue to do all that it can to protect consumer interest its dealings with Kilroot. It is firmly opposed to the cost of the FGD extension being passed through to customers. It welcomes the condition in the DETI consent seeking a commitment from Kilroot to return to the negotiating table with NIE to find a way forward on the long running contract dispute with a view to providing substantial benefits to customers’
Notes for Editors
OFREG (the Office for the Regulation of Electricity and Gas) supports the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation (NIAER) the regulator of the Electrcity and Gas industries in Northern Ireland. NIAER’s powers are derived from the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 both as amended by the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.
For further information contact Terry McErlane at Weber Shandwick Telephone 028 90764924 or 07770886911