§ Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Power what is the difference now in capital and generating costs for base load between coal-fired and nuclear power stations; and what the difference will be in 1970 and 1975, respectively.
§ Mr. MarshThe following are estimates by the C.E.G.B. of the capital and total generating costs of coal-fired and nuclear power stations coming into service now and in 1970:
Capital* Cost (£ per kilowatt) Total generating cost (pence per kilowatt hour) Now— Nuclear 116 0.72 Coal† 40 0.53 1970— Nuclear 74 0.47 Coal† 44 0.55 * Capital cost does not include interest during construction nor, in the case of nuclear, the initial fuel charge. † Representative costs at favourably sited plant. The Central Electricity Generating Board have indicated that, by 1975, a reduction in total generating costs at nuclear power stations of up to 20 per cent. compared with the 1970 figure might be possible; in the case of coal-fired stations, they expect that the figures for 1970 will continue to be broadly representative.
These estimates are based on present fuel prices and construction and other costs, except that actual construction costs have as far as possible been used for stations coming into service now.