§ Sir J. Edenasked (he Minister of Power what is the cost at 1969 prices of the installation and maintenance of electricity generating capacity for each of the years from now until 1973–74, using the latest estimates of capacity and demand in those years which are available to him, in excess of that which would be required exactly to meet a 17 per cent. margin of spare capacity.
§ Mr. MasonOn the basis of its 1968 capital development programme, which is now being revised in the light of later estimates of plant commissioning and demand, C.E.G.B. estimated that the planned margin of 17 per cent. would be exceeded by a maximum of 5,000 MW in 1971–72 declining to zero by 1974–75. The capital cost of this additional capacity at current prices is some £250 million.
The excess capacity in the early 1970's reflects the fact that levels of demand foreseen when the plant was ordered were higher than more recent estimates.
The Board estimates that operating and maintenance savings due to running this plant instead of older less efficient plant will reach a peak of about £25 million a year in 1971–72. The temporary excess of generating capacity should not therefore signficantly affect the Board's overall cost on revenue account.