HC Deb 06 June 1967 vol 747 cc177-8W
Mr. Albert Roberts

asked the Minister of Power to what extent, when reviewing energy policy, he will take into consideration the fact that the estimated running costs for the next nuclear power stations have risen sharply and that the capital costs of nuclear stations remain considerably higher than those of conventional stations.

Mr. Concannon

asked the Minister of Power what plans he has to slow down the rate of nuclear power station building now that his Department have revised upwards their estimates of the costs of electricity to be produced from the early advanced gas-cooled reactors.

Mr. Marsh

I take all relevant facts into consideration including those given in my Answers to my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. McGuire) on 9th May.—[Vol. 746, c. 1263.]

Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Minister of Power what is the total capacity of the nuclear power stations now operating; and what has been the capital cost of those stations compared with the capital cost of conventional stations built instead.

Mr. Marsh

For Central Electricity Generating Board Stations, 2,706 Megawatts. For the answer to the second part of his Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 9th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Concannon)—[Vol. 746, c.180.]

Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Power if he will state the estimated total capacity of the advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations now being built and for which approval has been sought, the estimated capital cost of the programme, and the estimated capital cost of conventional stations providing the same capacity.

Mr. Marsh

The capacity of the advanced gas-cooled reactor stations being built and approved is 2,520 Megawatts, and of stations for which approval has been sought (including a station in Scotland requiring the approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State) 5,000 Megawatts. The capital cost of the programme will depend on its total size and on the progress made in reducing costs: for a programme totalling 8,000 Megawatts, I should expect the capital cost (excluding initial fuel) to be about £550 million, as compared with about £400 million for the same capacity of conventional plant.