HL Deb 30 January 1967 vol 279 cc757-9

3.2 p.m.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made with the development of the process of desalinating sea water as a by-product of a nuclear electricity generating station, what the cost per 1,000 gallons is expected to be, and when and where the first station is likely to be in commission.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD SHACKLETON)

My Lords, the Atomic Energy Authority, in conjunction with industry, have completed a design study for a combined nuclear electricity generating station and flash distillation desalination plant based on present technology which could produce 60 million gallons per day of fresh water and 400 megawatts of electricity. The estimated cost of water from such a plant in this country, on the prevailing interest rates and on the "ground rules" adopted for calculating nuclear costs and allocating plant costs between electricity and the product water, would be between 4s. 6d. and 6s. per 1,000 gallons excluding any treatment and delivery charges. The lower costs quoted in other countries are based upon quite different financial assumptions, and in one major instance include a Government subsidy. As yet, there are no firm proposals for building a large desalination plant in this country.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

My Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for that helpful and informative Answer? Is the noble Lord aware that the figures he has given are encouraging? Although the cost of water from natural sources is at present a good deal cheaper than the figures he has given, is the noble Lord aware that costs will inevitably rise as water is brought from greater distances, and so on, and that therefore a time will come when the cost of water from natural sources will meet and, perhaps, exceed the cost of desalinated water? Will the noble Lord therefore use his best influence to expedite the putting into reality of this paper design of which he now speaks, so that we may learn just what can be done with this desalinated supply which will undoubtedly be wanted during the course of the next decade or two?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, in this country, of course, there is a limit to the distances which natural fresh water would be required to be brought, but I am personally very much in sympathy with the noble Lord. The problem is getting this off the ground while fresh water from reservoirs is still a good deal cheaper, whereas in countries overseas, of course, this situation may not arise. I take the point as to the desirability of trying a demonstration plant, probably based on an advanced gas reactor, and if the noble Lord, Lord Nugent of Guildford, or any other noble Lord is interested I will place a brochure in the Library which describes such a plant.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, would the Minister give an assurance that the Government have in mind, not only the question of the cost of water by such a desalination plant, but also the great advantage to Britain if we can keep our present technical lead over the rest of the world in the development of these particular plants?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I am well aware of the importance of retaining our lead, and that the competition is going to be very severe indeed.

LORD ARWYN

My Lords, has the noble Lord any figures regarding the value of possible trace minerals which might be recovered in the process of desalinisation? Because the important minerals which the sea contains could be of critical economic value to us in the foreseeable future.

LORD SHACKLETON

I agree, my Lords. I am very interested in the noble Lord's question, and should like to know the answer myself. I might add that one is also concerned with the fact that fresh water obtained by the multi-flash distillation process is so pure that I am told that it is liable to corrode the pipes, and that it will sometimes be necessary to treat it, which will add to the cost. But if the noble Lord would put down a Question, I will try to find out the answer—but perhaps I had better find out if there is an answer before he puts it down.