HC Deb 26 January 1970 vol 794 cc986-9
12. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Technology if he is satisfied that there is sufficient reliable electricity generating capacity to meet peaks of demand during cold spells; and if he will make a statement.

14 and 22. Mr. Patrick McNair-Wilson

asked the Minister of Technology (1) what is the total generating capacity of the electrical supply industry in megawatts at midwinter for this year and last, and the spare capacity margin over maximum demand expressed as a percentage;

(2) whether he will give an assurance that steps will be taken to prevent a repetition this year of the voltage reduction at power stations which occurred as a result of the cold weather and increased demand at the end of November, 1969.

17. Mr. Lane

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is satisfied that electricity generating capacity will be adequate to meet peak demand during the present winter; and if he will make a statement.

45. Sir J. Eden

asked the Minister of Technology what has been the maximum demand for electricity so far this winter; and what was the margin of spare generating capacity then available.

Mr. Benn

The estimated maximum potential demand so far this winter has been 39,655 megawatts. There was no spare capacity available at the time and voltage reductions were necessary in some parts of the country. Apart from voltage reductions amounting to 3 per cent to 6 per cent. on 11 days the C.E.G.B. has continued to meet demand and it and the manufacturers are working hard to overcome the plant difficulties to which I referred in my answer on 15th December.

I will, with permission, circulate more detailed figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.—[Vol. 793, c. 229–30.]

Mr. Emery

But is the right hon. Gentleman not immensely concerned that, after assurances by him and other Ministers earlier this year that there would be adequate capacity to meet all demand, we have had this amount of load shedding? Second, when does he expect that the 22 of the 47 500-megawatt sets which have developed serious faults will be available to meet the demand?

Mr. Benn

Of course, I am naturally concerned and I have expressed that view in answer to earlier Questions. I cannot give an exact figure, because it depends on technical complexities, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman will notice the different attitude with which the Americans have treated such technical troubles as they have had with the 747, compared to the treatment accorded by the party opposite to the technical difficulties which we have experienced.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

But is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, in column 1466 of HANSARD for 26th July, there was an answer which said that there would be 18 per cent. spare capacity? Is he now telling the country that, as far back as July, he had no idea that there would be these breakdowns? Why was no action taken then?

Mr. Benn

If he has followed this, the hon. Gentleman will know that the technical difficulties arising with the big 500-megawatt sets have been the reason why the margin of capacity which was provided for and which was referred to in that Answer, has not been able, on the days which I mentioned, to meet the full demand this winter. That is the sole and simple explanation.

Mr. Lane

But is not one of the reasons for public concern the excess of optimistic statements by spokesmen for the nationalised industries? I am thinking not only of electricity but of coal. Cannot the Government do something about that?

Mr. Benn

My understanding of the statements made in the House was that, when asked, Ministers gave the gross margin of operating capacity which would be provided in the course of the winter and that was absolutely right. In the event, there have been the technical difficulties which I have mentioned, but, on looking back, I do not believe that the hon. Gentleman will think that there has been any misleading of public opinion on this matter.

Sir J. Eden

But surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the margin of spare capacity has now completely evaporated? In these circumstances, does he think that it would have been wiser to have gone for a little more flexible plant mix? Are these faults due more to design or to manufacture?

Mr. Benn

I do not believe that I had better comment on the technical aspects of this, because this is a matter on which one would expect an engineering answer. The hon. Gentleman will know that, because of the time that it takes to erect these stations, the decisions underlying the first part of his question were taken many years ago.

Mr. Shinwell

But is it not somewhat surprising that, after 24 years of a nationalised electricity supply industry—and the weather is not too bad, either—there should be insufficient spare capacity, a shortage of equipment and the suggestions which we have had from some spokesmen of the industry that there might be power cuts?

Mr. Benn

My right hon. Friend is, I think, confusing the shortage of capacity with the technical difficulties of the 500-megawatt sets—and the production of those sets is not undertaken in the public sector.

Mr. Lubbock

Would the Minister not agree that it is unfair to make all these criticisms of the Central Electricity Generating Authority, when the plant which has given rise to these faults was constructed by private industry? Therefore, should not at least some of the criticism be directed against companies like A.E.I., which supplied the faulty equipment?

Mr. Benn

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, who is himself an engineer, for making that point. At the same time, I deeply respect the C.E.G.B. for not having emphasised this point because it was well aware of the effect which this might have on British export performance. Trying to import political advant-

MAXIMUM DEMAND AND CEGB OUTPUT CAPACITY (MW)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Winter Maximum Demand Met Calculated Maximum Demand in Average Cold Spell Conditions CEGB Maximum Output capacity on 1st January Gross Plant Margin (Per cent.) ((4) as percentage of (3))
1967–68 … … 35,818 35,600 41,463 11
1968–69 … … 37,738 37,600 44,343 18
1969–70 … … 38,156* 39,300† 46,035 17
* To date: the estimated maximum potential demand so far this winter has been 39,655 MW.
† This was the CEGB's latest estimate prior to the 1969–70 winter; when the full winter's experience has been analysed this figure may be adjusted accordingly.