Northern Hydro-Electric Board

HC Deb 07 December 1955 vol 547 cc78-80W

115. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state the aggregate installed capacity, kw. I., of the power establishments of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board at 30th November, 1955; how much kw. I. of this aggregate represented water-power facilities; how much kw. I. oil-power facilities; and how much kw. I. coal-fired stations.

Mr. J. Stuart

I am informed by the Board that the installed capacity of their generating plant at 30th November, 1955, was as follows:

		kws.
Hydro-Electric Plant	…	479,000
Diesel Plant	…	43,300
Steam Plant (coal fired)	…	103,000
Aggregate Capacity	…	625,300

114. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in consideration of expenditure of £117,300,000 on capital account by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, to end October, 1955, and a further £62,350,000 committed in respect of unfinished projects, and £2,155,000 for sanctioned schemes not yet commenced, a total of £181,805,000, and the fact that schemes under construction will ultimately cost greatly more than the sanctioned sums, whether he will consider introducing legislation to deal with the statutory borrowing limit of £200 million imposed on the Board; and whether he will now make a statement as to future Government policy.

Mr. J. Stuart

There is no immediate need to increase the borrowing limit of £200 million.

116. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to establish potential water-power resources in the area of Loch Awe and the Pass of Brander; and what would be the cost of harnessing them, and the installed capacity of power that might be expected.

Mr. J. Stuart

I am informed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board that it has made surveys in the Loch Awe area for both a conventional hydroelectric project with an installed capacity of about 75,000 kilowatts, and a pumped storage project with an installed capacity of about 350,000 kilowatts. The Board has not yet, however, submitted to me a constructional scheme giving estimates of the cost.