§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any changes in SSEB generating capacity have been authorised in the light of estimates of reduced electricity consumption made by the Department of Energy and the Central Electricity Generating Board; and if he will state the current estimate of annual increase in consumption upon which the plans of the SSEB are based.
§ Mr. William RossGenerating stations under construction in Scotland are expected to meet the need for additional capacity to 1981–82 when, on the latest estimate, the maximum demand on the Scottish system is expected to exceed 9,500 MW. This construction programme is committed and cannot be changed to take account of year-by-year fluctuations in forward estimates.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what quantities of electricity have been exported to, or imported from, England in 1971, 1972 and 1973; and what quantities of electricity are expected to be exchanged between Scotland and England in 1975, 1980 and 1985.
§ Mr. William RossFigures for past years are given in Appendix VII to the South of Scotland Electricity Board's report for 1973–74. The quantities of electricity to be exchanged with England in future will depend on the outcome of the economic operation of the interchange arrangements described in the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 22nd July.