HC Deb 09 June 1975 vol 893 cc54-5W
Mr. Donald Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current programme for nuclear power stations in Scotland.

Mr. William Ross

I have been asked to reply.

The South of Scotland Electricity Board is building an advanced gas-cooled reactor power station of 1,320 MW installed capacity at Hunterston, which is expected to be in operation later this year.

The Government have decided that the electricity boards throughout Britain should adopt the steam generating heavy water reactor for their next nuclear power station orders and that the initial programme should comprise not more than 4,000 MW in 1977–78.

The South of Scotland Electricity Board's contribution to this programme of orders is expected to be the first phase of development, amounting to some 1,300 MW, of the site at Torness, near Dunbar, for which I gave statutory consent last February. In anticipation of longer-term requirements the South of Scotland Electricity Board has also applied for statutory consent to construct a steam generating heavy water reactor power station at Hunterston.