§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish latest available figures of the thermal efficiency of electricity generation in the public sector, in the EEC countries.
§ Mr. EadieThe following provisional figures of average specific consumption of fuel per net KWh generated in conventional public supply power stations of EEC countries in 1974 have been provided by the Statistical Office of the European Communities.
Specific consumption *Kilocalories/KWh net Equivalent average thermal efficiency Per cent. Germany 2,490 34.5 France 2,280 37.7 Italy 2,370 36.3 Netherlands 2,350 36.6 Belgium 2,370 36.3 Luxembourg — — United Kingdom 2,690 32.0 Ireland 2,810 30.6 Denmark 2,250 38.2 Europe 9 2,490 34.5 * Net calorific value.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what studies he has undertaken to explain why the thermal efficiency of electricity generation by the CEGB compares less favourably than other EEC countries;
(2) what estimates he has made of the savings in extra fuel consumption, annually, that would be achieved if the thermal efficiency of electricity generation by the CEGB came up to average standards in the EEC countries; and what 53W would be the savings if the United Kingdom thermal efficiency were raised to equal that of the best country in the EEC.
§ Mr. EadieIt is extremely difficult to make meaningful international comparisons of thermal efficiency. In discussing the CEGB's efficiency the Plowden Report acknowledges (4.15–4.19) the difficulty of putting comparisons on to a fair basis. One must, for instance, take into account the proportion of hydroelectric plant on a given system. Nevertheless, the subject is kept under review by my officials.
Hypothetically, the annual fuel savings which would accrue if the CEGB's thermal efficiency were increased from its 1974–75 value of 32.3 per cent* to:
would be 5.8 million tons of coal equivalent and 14.1 million tons of coal equivalent respectively.
- (a) the EEC average thermal efficiency of 34.5 per cent.*, and
- (b) the best EEC thermal efficiency of 38.2 per cent.* (Denmark),
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy what studies he has undertaken to explain why the percentage of electricity produced in the United Kingdom by combined electricity and heat processes compares less favourably with that produced in other EEC countries.
§ Mr. EadieA small team from the Chief Scientist's Heat and Power Group has recently visited Denmark, Sweden, France and West Germany to study schemes involving district heating linked to power stations. The large amount of information so readily given by those countries is already being taken into account in the work of the Group.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish latest available figures of the percentage of electricity generated in each of the EEC countries, in the public and private sectors, respectively, by combined electricity and heat production.
§ Mr. EadieThe extent of information available for publication is being examined and I will reply as soon as possible.
* Net calorific values.