HC Deb 16 February 1987 vol 110 cc639-40
1. Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the peak demand for electricity met by the Central Electricity Generating Board during the recent cold weather.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Alastair Goodlad)

The most severe weather lasted from 12 January to 19 January. During that time a record peak demand of 47,926 MW was met at 5.30 pm on Monday 12 January. This is an integrated half-hourly figure, and the spot peak reached during the previous 30 minutes was in fact 48,290 MW.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Does my hon. Friend agree that the record demand increases the case for early orders to be made for power stations? Against the background of deciding which type of power station should be built, does my hon. Friend agree that cheap electricity is of overriding national interest, alongside safety requirements? Does he accept Sir Frank Layfield's comments that nuclear energy will almost certainly be cheaper than energy provided by coal-fired stations?

Mr. Goodlad

The declared net capability of generating plant on the CEGB's system at 31 March last year was 52,101 MW. My hon. Friend may draw his own conclusions from that. In view of my right hon. Friend's quasi-judicial position, my hon. Friend will understand that I cannot comment on the Sizewell inquiry.

Mr. Powley

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is fair to say that without the 16 or 18 per cent. of our electricity that is supplied by nuclear energy the extraordinarily high demand over the recent winter would not have been met and could have led to either a reduction in the power of electricity or, indeed, a cut?

Mr. Goodlad

My hon. Friend is quite right. Nuclear power stations made an important contribution towards meeting the demand. I congratulate the CEGB's staff on their excellent performance in the face of the severe weather and the record demand. I congratulate also the area board staff who worked in terrible conditions to maintain supplies and overcome the few distribution failures that occurred.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Although I recognise that the Minister wishes to pursue a policy of fulfilling energy demand, I put it to him that if the Government go down the Sizewell route those of us who have always supported nuclear power will part company on that issue, because the public have no confidence, and the whole future—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This question would be better related to a later question.

Back to