HC Deb 28 November 1944 vol 404 cc2372-3
8 and 9. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what proportion of the thermal units generated in our larger power stations are converted into electricity; and what percentage would be available, if appropriate machinery were installed, for providing circulating district heating and circulating district hot water;

(2) whether the new electricity generating stations to be erected, under the auspices of the Central Electrity Board, will be equipped so as to use their surplus heat after the generation of electricity for the purpose of providing circulating district heating and circulating district hot water in the areas in which they are constructed.

Major Lloyd George

As explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 5th July, the subject of district heating is at present being considered by a sub-committee of the Heating and Ventilation (Reconstruction) Committee appointed by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Government will wish to see the report of that committee before they can formulate any policy on this matter. The development programme of generating stations just published is so urgent that it cannot wait the formulation of a policy on district heating which would require legislation. The percentage of heat units in the electricity sent out from the larger and more modern generating stations as compared with the heating units in the coal used ranges from 25 to 28 per cent. If certain difficulties were overcome and district heating from generating stations adopted, it might be possible to have made available 70 to 75 per cent. of the heat units in the coal for combined electrical and district heating purposes. The quantity of electricity, however, produced from every lb. of coal would be considerably less than with present methods and a proportionate increase in generating plant would be required to produce the same amount of electricity.

Mr. Bossom

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman feel that it is desirable that we should go on generating electricity in this unscientific manner, when our national supplies of coal are getting less and less?

Major Lloyd George

I agree that we must use coal to the best possible advantage, and a committee is inquiring into the question whether it is possible to utilise the extra heat from generating stations for the purpose. While you could get a certain amount of heat from the thermal units you would lose a considerable portion of electricity. It may be that future generating stations will have to be proportionately bigger to meet the demand.

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Is it not a fact that modern methods of electrical generation use up almost the theoretical amount of heat?

Mr. Bossom

Will the report be out in time for the big housing development after the war?

Major Lloyd George

I have no doubt that it will be presented before that time but with the extremely severe strain upon electricity supplies at present, we cannot wait for the report before putting up new stations.