HC Deb 19 November 1984 vol 68 cc26-7W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of electricity output in England and Wales came from nuclear power in the year before the coal dispute started; and what percentage is now coming from such stations.

Mr. Goodlad

In the year from November 1982 to October 1983, 15.5 per cent. of electricity generated by the CEGB was produced at nuclear stations. The latest published information is for August 1984 when the figure was 19.3 per cent. The increase is the result of the commissioning of new nuclear capacity and because the proportionate nuclear contribution is higher during the summer months when demand for electricity falls.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the total value of electricity produced by nuclear power in England and Wales in the six months preceding the start of the coal dispute and in the six months since the start of the dispute;

(2) if there have been any changes in the cost per unit of electricity produced from nuclear power stations as a result of increased output since the coal dispute began;

(3) if there have been any changes in operating costs in total per unit of output in nuclear power stations since the coal dispute began.

Mr. Goodlad

There have been no changes in the cost per unit of electricity produced from nuclear power stations since the coal dispute began. Information about the value of electricity produced by nuclear power during the past year is not readily available.

Mr. Nellist

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list, by percentage for each of the last 12 months, the amount of electricity generated by (a) coal-fired power stations, (b) oil-fired power stations and (c) nuclear fired power stations.

Mr. Goodlad

The latest published information on the generation of electricity by fuel is available in the October issue ofEnergy Trends, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Mr. Nellist

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give details of oil imports for electricity generation in 1983 and for the latest available date in 1984, indicating the country of export by percentage of shipments and the value of such at current prices.

Mr. Goodlad

This information is not available.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many units of electricity were produced from nuclear power in the six months preceding the start of the coal dispute; how many were produced in the six months period after the start of the coal dispute; and what was the figure for the corresponding six months period in 1983.

Mr. Goodlad

Electricity generation at CEGB nuclear power stations for the periods mentioned was as follows:

Gigawatt hours
November 1982-April 1983 18,648
May-October 1983 16,507
November 1983-April 1984 19,051