§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of energy used for all domestic and industrial purposes is currently derived from hydroelectric sources; what steps are being taken to increase such energy utilisation; what is the percentage envisaged as being operative in 10 years' time; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. EadieThe present proportion is adequately represented by the information covering 1974 in my Department's "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1975", which is available in the Library. Hydro-electric power accounts on average for rather more than 0.5 per cent. of the United Kingdom's gross inland consumption of energy. Because most of it is fed into the public supply system for general distribution, it is not possible to give a figure for domestic and industrial consumers separately. Domestic and industrial consumers account for two-thirds of all final energy consumption.
Because there is very little scope for expanding primary hydro-electric schemes in this country, the proportion will fall about as quickly as energy-use increases.