HC Deb 15 November 1983 vol 48 cc417-8W
Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the maximum peak demand for electricity and the maximum potential output for the North of Scotland Hydro-Electricity Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board for each of the next 10 years.

Mr. Allan Stewart

The forecasting of electricity demand and supply is the responsibility in the first instance of the Scottish electricity boards. I am asking the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost per unit of electricity to be generated by the proposed hydro-electric schemes on the rivers Grudie and Talladale near Loch Maree, taking into account capital and interest charges.

Mr. Allan Stewart

This is a matter for the North of Scotland Hydro-Electricity Board, and I am asking the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the maximum demand recorded for electricity as a percentage of maximum potential output for the North of Scotland Hydro-Electricity Board and for the South of Scotland Electricity Board for each of the last five years.

Mr. Allan Stewart

The information is as follows:

SSEB per cent. NSHEB per cent.
1978–79 60.6 84.2
1979–80 52.4 84.6
1980–81 52.5 81.8
1981–82 74.9 72.1
1982–83 63.1 48.0

The figures for NSHEB include the isolated systems (not part of the national grid).

Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated average cost, taking into account both capital and interest charges, of a unit of electricity generated in Scotland by (a) hydro-electric power, (b) coal-fired power stations, (c) gas-fired power stations, (d) oil-fired power stations and (e) nuclear powered stations.

Mr. Allan Stewart

This is a matter for the Scottish electricity boards and I am asking the chairmen to write to my hon. Friend.