Energy Production (Efficiency)

HC Deb 15 April 1993 vol 222 c713W

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the comparative average efficiency of(a) all United Kingdom power plants, (b) gas-fired power plants and (c) combined heat and power schemes.

Mr. Eggar

In 1991–92, the average gross thermal efficiency of fossil fuel-burning power stations in the United Kingdom was 34.1 per cent.

[Source: Digest of UK Energy Statistics, Table 52]

The efficiency of combined cycle gas turbines is generally expected to be around 45 per cent.

The efficiency of combined heat and power schemes varies considerably depending on their particular circumstances. Most such schemes in the United Kingdom are thought to have efficiencies in the range 70 per cent to 80 per cent.