§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the current comparative electricity generating costs, expressed in pence per kWh, of (a) oil, (b) coal, (c) gas, (d) nuclear power and (e) hydro-electric power.
§ Mr. Benn,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 5th August 1976; Vol. 916, c.931],gave the following information:
I understand from the CEGB that for 1975–76 the average generation costs of CEGB power stations commissioned in the last 12 years were as follows:
Coal-fired … … 0.97 p/KWh Oil-fired … … 1.09 p/KWh Nuclear … … 0.67 p/KWh These figures include interest and depreciation charges appropriate to 197576. Since gas is used on an interruptible basis and the hydro-electric capacity of the CEGB is very small, meaningful generation costs are not available. The corresponding figures for the Scottish boards, which include a significant amount of hydro-electric generation, are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.