26 October 2007

Lignite Moratorium Extended To Whole Of Province

There's little prospect of commercial mining for lignite in Northern ireland, at least for the next three years.

Assembly Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has announced a three year moratorium on lignite prospecting licences for the whole of Northern Ireland.  

He explained that the original moratorium in October 2004 suspended any further prospecting licences for lignite, but only in the Ballymoney area.  

Announcing the Northern Ireland-wide moratorium, the Minister said: "I have extended the three year moratorium on lignite prospecting licenses to include all of Northern Ireland.

"Northern Ireland needs energy supplies that are environmentally sustainable and reliable. It is important to also ensure security, diversity and continuity of supply.

"The primary policy focus for Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and the European Union, driven by climate change targets, is on increasing the use of renewables for electricity generation.   

"The development of the Single Electricity Market, together with a focus on renewables and gas for electricity generation will help meet our energy targets, with the expectation of leading to a reduction in the need for exploitation of other alternative fossil fuel sources such as lignite," he said.

He also noted that no applications for mineral prospecting licences for lignite have been received during the current three year moratorium.  

The announcement will please campaigners against lignite mining, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) which has opposed lignite as a source of energy.

A recent WWF report said lignite is the dirtiest and most polluting fuel in Europe.

WWF also said this evidence gives added weight to the call for the Northern Ireland Assembly to stop the plans for a lignite mine and power station outside Ballymoney, once and for all.

(BMcC)