HC Deb 25 June 1973 vol 858 c245W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what growth in electricity demand is envisaged in the next five years; and what measures are being taken to meet this demand.

Mr. Tom Boardman

The Electricity Council announced in March that the simultaneous maximum demand for electricity in England and Wales under average cold spell weather conditions was expected to rise to 56,500 MW in the winter of 1978–79 compared with the peak demand of 40,639 MW met last winter. I am considering the programmes proposed by the Electricity Council and boards for capital investment over the next five years, which are designed to meet this forecast demand for electricity.