§ Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of United Kingdom electrical generating capacity and of present electrical consumption is supplied by plants fuelled by coal; and for how long he estimates that resources of coal in the United Kingdom will be adequate to sustain that capacity and level of consumption.
§ Mr. EadieSome 63 per cent. of generating capacity in the United Kingdom is supplied by plant fuelled solely by coal and another 7 per cent. of capacity is supplied by plant which can burn coal or other fossil fuels. Currently about 65 per cent. of the primary fuel consumption of the United Kingdom electricity supply industry is met by coal. Total consumption by the industry in 1975 is expected to be about 75 million tons.
171WI am informed by the National Coal Board that coal reserves which are economically workable and which are currently accessible in existing collieries are around 3,500 million tons. However, the present estimate of total proved reserves of coal is about 100,000 million tons. The extent to which these coals are exploited will depend on detailed future exploration, capital expenditure and the future competitive position of coal. These reserves are ample for the foreseeable future.