§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the 464W present total generating capacity of the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board, respectively; and what is his estimate of the average annual increase in capacity which will be required to 1980.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanI am advised by the generating boards that the present output capacity of the CEGB is 56,055 MW and that of the SSEB, for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has responsibility, is 5,920 MW. Forecasts of future capacity requirements depend on many assumptions, of which the most important is estimated future demand for electricity, but the uncertainties are such that no firm estimate can be made at present of the increase in capacity which may be required by 1980.