Enemalta to cut 'acid rain' emissions

Enemalta has received three tenders for the modification of a boiler at the Marsa power station to comply with EU emission standards.

Partly backed by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund, the project is for the burners on the boiler to be upgraded to reduce the emission of NOx to an acceptable level.

NOx is the collective term used for the various oxides of nitrogen produced during the combustion of the fuel and emitted into the atmosphere. NOx are acid gases that contribute to the formation of acid rain.

The emissions from power stations are the subject of an EU Large Combustion Plant Directive aimed at limiting the amount of sulphur dioxide, NOx and dust that may be emitted from such stations. Older plants have to improve their emission levels in a staged manner to achieve full compliance eventually.

In the case of Marsa, the conversion of one boiler will be followed by a similar project on another of the large boilers. In fact, the call for tenders included an option for the conversion of the second boiler. The two 60-megawatt boilers have already achieved full compliance with respect to sulphur dioxide and dust emissions.

The bids were received after a notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities in accordance with the requirements in connection with EU funding.