HC Deb 09 July 1979 vol 970 c11W
31. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many tons were consumed in coal-fired power stations over each of the past four years; what is the estimated consumption for the year 1982; and what were the comparable figures for oil-fired power stations over the same period.

Mr. Norman Lamont

I shall arrange for the detailed figures for the past four years to be published in theOfficial Report. Between 1975 and 1978 coal burn increased by more than 6 million tonnes and oil burn decreased by about 2 million tonnes coal equivalent. Fuel use in 1982 will depend upon a number of factors including the level of electricity demand and the price and availability of competing fuels.

Following is the information:

Fuel used by the public electricity supply system in the United Kingdom in the past four years is as follows:

Million tonnes coal or coal equivalent
Coal Oil
1975 74.57 21.48
1976 77.82 17.05
1977 79.56 17.98
1978 80.87 19.49