HC Deb 13 December 1967 vol 756 cc185-6W
Mr. Woof

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the capital cost per kilowatt of an additional coal-fired power station of 2,000 megawatt capacity at West Burton, compared with the proposed nuclear station at Seaton Carew and the nuclear station now being built at Dungeness B.

Mr. Freeson:

The estimated capital cost of Dungeness B (for 1200 MW) is about £110 per kilowatt. Typical capital costs per kilowatt for additional 2000 MW stations would be about £65 for coal-fired and about £95 for nuclear. These estimates include interest (at 8 per cent.) during constructin and, for nuclear stations, the initial fuel charges.

Mr. Concannon

asked the Minister of Power what is the estimated cost per unit sent out by the coal-fired power station at Ratcliffe-on-Soar compared with the cost of the nuclear station at Dungeness B; and when the two stations will be operating.

Mr. Freeson:

The generation cost at 75 per cent. load factor and 8 per cent. interest rate is estimated to be 0. 54d./ kWh for Ratcliffe and . 56d./kWh for Dungeness B. The estimates are not comparable because much of the capital expenditure at Ratcliffe took place when prices were lower. Ratcliffe is expected to be commissioned in 1968 and Dungeness B in 1970.