HC Deb 01 February 1955 vol 536 cc876-8
8. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost, £/MWI., respectively, including and excluding capital costs in respect of distribution facilities for the one-and-a-half megawatts installed capacity of the hydro-electric works embodied in the Mucomir project. Con struction Scheme No. 26, referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 26) Confirmation Order, 1954.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

The capital cost per megawatt to be installed in the Mucomir project, based on the estimates submitted to Parliament, is £250,000. The capital cost of connecting the station to the local distribution network will be negligible, as it will be within 20 yards of the existing lines.

Mr. Nabarro

Without commenting on the merits or demerits of this proposal, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that the cost per kilowatt installed is evidently nearly twice as great as the average of formerly completed schemes, and can he give us a reason for this very sharp advance in cost?

Mr. Stewart

I am not sure that my hon. Friend is right about that. I rather think that the estimated cost per megawatt is less than in some of the previous schemes.

Mr. Nabarro

I said "average."

Mr. Stewart

My answer is that the estimated cost is less than in some of the previous schemes, and, in any case, my hon. Friend will see from the answers which I shall give to some of his subsequent Questions that this scheme has rather exceptional attractions.

9. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated load factor of the hydro-electric works embodied in the Mucomir project Constructional Scheme No. 26 installed capacity one-and-a-half megawatts referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 26) Confirmation Order, 1954; and the anticipated coal economy equivalent based on that load factor, and a conversion rate of 1.25 lb. of coal per unit of electricity generated, or otherwise generally in accord with average efficiency of British Electricity Authority power stations.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

My right hon. Friend is informed by the Board that the expected load factor of the hydro-electric works embodied in the Mucomir project, based on the installed capacity of 1.5 megawatts, is 68 per cent. The expected saving in coal at a conversion figure of 1.25 lb. of coal per unit of electricity generated is about 5,020 tons annually. If the average figure of 1.35 lb. is taken, the saving would be 5,424 tons.

Mr. Nabarro

Is my hon. Friend aware that the correct pronunciation is "Mucomeer"? May I ask him whether he is further aware that the load factor which he has given is highly satisfactory as compared with the previous average of all completed schemes, which was only 27 per cent.? May I remind my hon. Friend that I made recommendations to him along these lines three years ago, since when a great deal of money has been wasted?

10. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated dates of commencement and completion for the hydro works embodied in the Mucomir project No. 26 Constructional Scheme referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 26) Confirmation Order, 1954; and what independent advice as to the technical and economic soundness or otherwise of the Mucomir project he has taken other than the views and proposals and advice of those employed by, or contracting to, the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

The Board hopes to start work on this scheme before the end of this year, and to complete the work in about two years from the starting time. The scheme was approved by the British Electricity Authority before it was submitted to my right hon. Friend for confirmation.

Mr. Nabarro

A very good answer.