The government has given its consent for the construction of a flue gas desulphurisation plant at Scottish and Southern Energy’s Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station in Warrington.
Energy minister Malcolm Wicks welcomed the investment in cleaner coal technology: “Coal and other fossil fuels remain vital ingredients in our energy mix but we need to reduce the impact that burning them has on our environment. Fitting this new technology at Fiddler’s Ferry is a welcome step forward and will help reduce the damaging effects of acid rain.”
The flue gas desulphurisation plant will be designed and operated as a chemical absorption process. Injection of limestone slurry will remove over 90% of the sulphur dioxide, one of the main causes of acid rain, from the combustion gases and produce de-sulpho gypsum.
