§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what private industries will be participating in the engineering design study of the commercial scale pressurised fluidised bed plant; and what time scale he has in mind for its development.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe engineering design study is managed by the CEGB which is holding preliminary discussions with potential contractors possessing appropriate qualifications.
The study will be completed during 1985 and will help to provide a clearer picture of the time scale and effort required to take the technology to commercial application.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if the pressurised fluidised combustion facility at Grimethorpe, Barnsley, is to continue; what is the financial support from the International Energy Agency, the National Coal Board and his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe International Energy Agency has no R and D budget but exercises a co-ordinating role in 47W member Government sponsored energy R and D programmes. The Grimethorpe project, launched in 1975, is presently funded equally by the Governments of the United Kingdom, United States of America and Federal German Republic. Up to April 1980 one third of the United Kingdom contribution was provided by the NCB, and when the £59.95 million in IEA programme finishes this year, my Department will have contributed more than £17 million. The project has successfully confirmed the potential of pressurised fluidised bed combustion and the contributing Governments believe the point has been reached where further development is best led by those who will exploit and use the technology. The present participants have agreed that the NCB should assume ownership of the facility when the IEA programme finishes, and continuation of the work depends upon the board's success in attracting financial support.