HC Deb 08 December 1981 vol 14 cc333-4W
Mr. Archie Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how electricity prices to large industrial consumers in the United Kingdom have increased in 1981 compared with other European countries.

Mr. Mellor

The recent report by the National Economic Development Council's energy task force indicated that since January electricity tariff increases had been higher in almost all other European countries. Actual increases depend on the consumer's pattern of consumption. The following are the percentages increases between 2 January and 1 October 1981 for consumers, in such industries as chemicals, glass, paper and textiles, with maximum demands of 2500kW and 60 per cent. load factor as indicated by the figures in tables 12 and 12A of the NEDC report:

percentage increase
in p/kWh in local currency
England and Wales 8 8
Belgium 20 10
France 22 14
Germany (RWE) 18 7
Italy 25 22
Netherlands 31 21