§ 46. Mr. Palmerasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the removal from service of several nuclear power stations operated by Magnox Reactors and the expected effect on the total availability of generating plant to meet the coming winter loads.
Mr. Alan WilliamsAll such stations continue in operation, but at reduced power output, as was explained on 13th October in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd). I am assured by the C.E.G.B. that no threat to winter supplies is foreseen as a result of this reduction in power, which 3W represents rather more than 1 per cent. of the total C.E.G.B. system capacity.—[Vol. 788, c. 38.]
§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Technology whether, in the light of his latest estimates, he still expects new nuclear power stations to be substantially more economical than new coal-fired stations in the 1970s;! and what is the estimate of generating costs per unit of electricity for the most up-to-date power station of each type under construction.
Mr. Alan WilliamsYes, for base-load operation. Estimates for the Hinkley Point and Hartlepool A.G.R. stations of 0.52d. per unit were given in the reply to the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Emery) on 22nd April. The corresponding figure for the latest coal-fired power station at Drax is 0.61d. per unit.—[Vol. 788, c.51.]