HL Deb 15 December 1987 vol 491 cc714-6WA
The Earl of Lauderdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of the planned four new coal-fired power stations will be built on coastal sites; and

Whether they will state the timetable for completion of:

  1. (i) site-surveying and choice,
  2. (ii) design work,
  3. (iii) application for planning consent,
  4. (iv) grant of planning consent,
  5. (v) construction,
  6. (vi) commissioning, and
  7. (vii) raising the necessary capital for each of the planned four new coal-fired power stations; and

Whether they will state the timetable for completion of:

  1. (i) site-surveying and choice,
  2. (ii) design work,
  3. (iii) application for planning consent,
  4. (iv) grant of planning consent,
  5. (v) construction,
  6. (vi) commissioning, and
  7. (vii) raising the necessary capital, for each of the planned six new PWR power stations.

Viscount Davidson

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Energy has not yet received from the CEGB any applications for his consent to construct new coal-fired power stations. However, we understand that the CEGB intends shortly to submit applications for coal-fired power stations at Fawley (Hampshire) and West Burton (Nottinghamshire). Fawley is a coastal site; West Burton is not.

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Energy gave his consent to the CEGB to construct a PWR power station at Sizewell 'B' on 12th March 1987. I understand that construction of the station is under way, and the station is expected to be operational in 1994.

The Secretary of State received on 28th August 1987 an application from the CEGB to construct a PWR at Hinkley Point 'C'. The local planning authorities have objected to this application and a public inquiry will be held. The Secretary of State will announce in due course details of this inquiry.

As long as it remains in public ownership, the electricity supply industry will continue to follow the normal practice of nationalised industries of meeting its financing requirements from internal resources and, to the extent that those resources are insufficient, from loan finance.

No other applications to construct power stations, nuclear or otherwise, have been received. The timing of such applications and the choice of site for these stations are matters for the CEGB, and I have asked the Chairman of the CEGB to write to you on these points.