Don't choose environment over 'keeping the lights on', says Sammy Wilson after coal-fired Kilroot raised in risk of 'blackouts' report

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said special dispensation should be given to allow the coal-fired station to continue operating amid a shortfall between the expected electricity demand and the supply highlighted by the grid operators in a stark report earlier this week.

The possibility of blackouts in Northern Ireland was raised in an annual report published by SONI (Systems Operators Northern Ireland) on Thursday.

The 'Electricity Supply and Demand Forecast', published jointly by SONI and the Republic of Ireland based EirGrid, warns that the risk of blackouts is higher in 2024 and 2025 due to environmental requirements limiting the operating hours of the coal-fired Kilroot power station, among other factors.

Blackouts this winter, the report said, are considered unlikely but a worst-case scenario set out by the grid operators shows that high demand could outstrip supply in the coming months.

Kilroot was given special dispensation to continue operating during the pandemic, but environmental legislation means coal-fired stations are being phased out in favour of cleaner energy sources. A new combined-cycle gas turbine is expected to be installed at Kilroot and become operational by 2026.

Mr Wilson believes similar legal "cover" should be given to the power station again in order to ensure the lights are kept on.

"That summarises it very, very well - we're choosing between reducing CO2 emissions and keeping the lights on," he said. "I suspect for the vast majority of people, their priority will be that if you have to produce more C02, it would be preferable to turning the lights off, and turning the power off to industry.

"That's the choice that has to be made. When I hear all these environmentalists saying 'we have to have zero carbon' and everything else, I know they are the same people who will shout and complain when they come home and can't watch the TV or make the dinner.”

He continued: "We could be coming down to that, where we've got to make that choice. And quite honestly, the CO2 emissions that would be coming from Kilroot are not going to affect the entire world's climate. I mean, the Chinese are building a coal-fired power station every week. India is doing the same. Germany is restarting their coal power stations.

"Why should be get so uptight about a coal station needing to burn coal? If we have to burn coal 24-hours per day to keep the lights on, and keep industry going, then burn it 24 hours per day."

He continued: "It would be a scandal to expect the owners of Kilroot to risk their livelihoods and their reputations to keep on producing electricity when they are given no cover by the Stormont departments. They need to be given that cover. And don't forget, we're now out of the EU so there's no reason we should be abiding by any EU regulations around this."