Coal (Electricity Generation) (Hansard, 22 October 1973)

§ 8. Mr. Hardy
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the present share taken by coal in the generation of electricity in Great Britain and what share he estimates coal will take in one, three and five years' time.

§ The Minister for Industry (Mr. Tom Boardman)
The arrangements between the National Coal Board and the electricity generating boards for extra coal burn under the provisions of the Coal Industry Act 1973 are expected to result in an increase in coal burn of over 7 million tons, so that about 64 per cent. of total energy input will come from coal this year. Uncertainties about fuel prices and total electricity demand mean that it is too early to predict the percentage in future years.

§ Mr. Hardy
The answer is interesting, but does not the Minister agree that we should be well advised to drive for a 673 greater production of coal and a greater recruitment of miners in order that we may have the capacity to begin to convert power stations from oil- to coal-fire generation? Does he not further agree that that situation would allow us to make the best use of offshore oil and also help to ease the developing and critical situation with regard to oil supply and price? Does not he accept that a little embarrassment would be tolerable over phase 3, in view of the advantages that would follow?

§ Mr. Boardman
I think the hon. Gentleman will accept that what the Government did for the coal industry under the Coal Industry Act 1973 showed a real recognition of the importance of coal, which was not always recognised by the Opposition. In the same way, what we have achieved in the exploration, exploitation and development of North Sea oil shows that the point made by the hon. Gentleman was taken on board. There is a large capacity for burning coal in the generating stations at present, and full use will be made of that.

§ Mr. Skeet
I hope that my hon. Friend will avoid falling into the trap of trying to estimate the quantities to be consumed by power stations five years ahead. I am glad that he has avoided it today, but the difficulty will be the price of coal. No one has attempted to evaluate that and, in addition, a lot of quantitative alternative fuels may be available by that date.

§ Mr. Boardman
My hon. Friend is right. One must keep a flexible approach and take into account availability, security of supply and relative cost—and that we try to do.

§ Mr. Varley
As the last two weeks have demonstrated the precarious nature of our oil supply, will the Minister at least insist that the Central Electricity Generating Board goes ahead firmly with two coal-fired power stations—one at West Burton in Nottinghamshire, the other at Drax in Yorkshire? Further to that, will he instruct the CEGB to conduct a basic re-examination of its power station policy?

§ Mr. Boardman
The hon. Gentleman knows that the West Burton design study has been put out so that that option can be carefully considered before a decision has to be made. Consent to Drax B 674 was given many years ago by the hon. Gentleman, but it was not implemented.
We recognise the importance of coal. We are keeping the various options open, and we must keep in mind the extent of the coal that will be available. By the 1980's the CEGB will have the capacity to burn more than 100 million tons of coal in power stations now in existence or in the course of construction.