HC Deb 05 December 1975 vol 901 cc422-4W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Energy at what date he expects the new solid fuel power stations at Drax B and West Burton B to be in production.

Mr. Eadie

No decision has yet been taken on the building of either of these stations. Their claims will, however, be given the fullest consideration when the time comes to order a new station.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will list in the Official Report the names of those coal-fired power stations: (1) due for closure by (a) October 1976 and (b) March 1977, and (2) due for partial closure by (a) October 1976 and (b) March 1977.

Mr. Eadie

I understand from the CEGB that 12 months' notification of closure, or partial closure, has been, or will be, given by the Board for the following coal-fired power stations on the dates indicated. This programme of closures has been agreed after consultations within the electricity industry's National Joint Advisory Council.

1. Stations for which 12 months' notification of closure was given in April 1975:

Region and Station

Midlands: Hams Hall "A", Nottingham LP.

South-Eastern: Barking "B", Brighton "A", Norwich.

South-Western: Cowes, Castle Meads, Portishead "A".

2. Stations for which 12 months' notification of partial closure was given in April 1975:

North-Eastern: Blackburn Meadows, Sculcoates.

Midands: Nottingham IP.

3. Stations for which 12 months' notification of closure was given in October 1975:

Midlands: Burton, Coventry, Leicester*, Mcaford "A", Northampton, Wolverhampton, Worcester.

South-Eastern: Hackney "B", Peterborough.

North-Eastern: Bradford, Darlington, Ferrybridge "A", Neepsend, Sculcoates, Sunderland.

North-Western: Blackburn, Lancaster, Ribble, Stockport, Stuart Street (Manchester), Trafford.

4. Stations for which 12 months' notification of partial closure was given in October 1975:

Midlands: Ironbridge "A"*, Nottingham IP (further partial closure), Spondon "A", Stourport "A".

North-Eastern: Blackburn Meadows (further partial closure), Dunston "B", Huddersfield, Rotherham, Skelton Grange "A", Thornhill.

North-Western: Carlisle, Hartshead*, Kearsley*.

South-Western: Carmarthen Bay, Uskmouth "A".

5. Stations for which 12 months' notification of closure is due to be given in March 1976:

North-Western: Bolton.

South-Western: Earley, Hayle, Llynfi.

6. Stations for which 12 months' notification of partial closure is due to be given in March 1976:

Midlands: Ocker Hill.

North-Eastern: Rotherham (further partial closure).

* Dual (coal/oil) fired power stations.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many tons of coal demand will be lost as a result of the closure of 35 wholly coal-fired, and six dual fired power stations between now and March 1977.

Mr. Eadie

I am informed by the CEGB that, as the stations which are due for closure or partial closure by March 1977 are no longer required to generate electricity, no coal demand will be lost as a result of their closure. The CEGB's total coal burn is expected to increase in the current financial year to 67 million tonnes from 65 million tonnes in the year ending 31st March 1975.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many new coal-fired power stations he envisages being constructed before 1980.

Mr. Eadie

Any decision to proceed with the construction of a new coal-fired power station could not, given the building time involved, result in the construction of such a station by 1980.

Mr. Albert Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Drax B power station will be fired by coal or oil.

Mr. Eadie

Deemed planning permission and consents under the Electric Lighting Act 1909 have been received by the Central Electricity Generating Board to build a coal-fired power station at Drax B.

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