Cottam and Ratcliffe Power Stations

HC Deb 03 March 1969 vol 779 cc50-1W

Mr. Gardner

asked the Minister of Power what is the latest estimate of the cost per kilowatt of the Cottam and Ratcliffe coal-fired power stations.

Mr. Mason

The C.E.G.B.'s latest estimates are £46 and £42 per kilowatt respectively, excluding interest during construction.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Minister of Power whether, in view of the continued supply of suitable coal at low cost, he is satisfied that the estimate quoted in Command Paper No. 3438 for Cottam Power Station of 0.53 pence per kilowatt hour is still appropriate for the purpose of comparing costs of electricity generation; what is the up-to-date figure; and what further reduction he estimates would be achieved by the doubling up of an existing coal-fired station.

Mr. Mason

The C.E.G.B.'s latest estimate of the base load generating cost for Cottam is 0.60d. per unit. I can give no general estimate of the saving from doubling up an existing coal-fired station as this would depend on the particular circumstances.