HC Deb 26 January 1981 vol 997 cc621-2
1. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of demonstrations on pilot projects for schemes for combined heat and power.

16. Mr Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to announce the areas in which it is proposed to proceed with feasibility evaluation of combined heat and power.

The Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. John Moore)

The Department has now received from its lead consultants, W. S. Atkins and Partners, a report which contains its recommendations on the areas for further work under the CHP feasibility programme. I am placing copies of the report in the Libraries of both Houses. We shall be considering these recommendations together with the views of the local authorities which have participated in the programme, and will announce our response shortly.

Mr. Spearing

Are any programmes in London, in particular in East London?

Mr. Moore

One of the six areas recommended covers East Central London. The Atkins report suggests that the following London boroughs could be included in the East Central London scheme: Camden, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Barking and Newham.

Mr. Rost

As one of the criteria which my hon. Friend said he is applying in selecting a suitable site for a lead city CHP scheme is the availability of a suitable power station, what is he doing to prevent the CEGB from closing any more of these suitable power stations and scrapping them? Is he aware that the closure of some stations already has probably prejudiced the development of CHP in some city centres?

Mr. Moore

I ought to have congratulated W. S. Atkins and Partners on the speed of its report. I also thank the fuel authorities and the local authorities which have co-operated so well.

My hon. Friend is right in his remarks, with his long background in the subject. There is a need for the availability of a suitable power station or power station site. That was one of both three important factors considered by W. S. Atkins. I ask, however, that hon. Members, including my hon. Friend, should consider the detailed report which I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

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