HC Deb 13 November 1972 vol 846 cc7-8W
43. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total cost per kilowatt of electricity produced at the most efficient coal-fired and nuclear power stations.

Mr. Tom Boardman

This is a matter for the generating boards. I am therefore asking the Chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board to write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total electricity generation of the Central Electricity Generating Board in 1971; and what is the expected production in 1976 and 1981.

Mr. Emery

The total electricity generated by the Central Electricity Generating Board in 1971 was 208 Twh. Estimates of electricity production in future years are made in a variety of contexts and are subject to frequent review. It would be misleading to select any of these in isolation.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the share of the electricity generation requirement occupied by coal, oil, gas, nuclear energy and hydro-electric schemes in the United Kingdom in 1971; and what is the expected share for each of the above in 1976.

Mr. Emery

The shares in 1971 were approximately as follows:

Percentage of total electricity generated
Coal 65
Oil 23
Gas 1
Nuclear 10
Hydro 1
100
I will not speculate upon the shares to be expected in 1976, as these will depend on so many circumstances—including growth of demand and such unpredictable factors as the weather.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cost per ton of oil purchased by the Central Electricity Generating Board at the present time; and what it was in 1968 and 1970.

Mr. Emery

The exact price paid for oil by the Central Electricity Generating Board is a commercial matter between the board and its suppliers. Some information on average oil prices paid by the electricity industry as a whole is available in Table 92 of the Department's Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1972.