§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what would be the maximum amount of electricity that could be imported into the United Kingdom from France in a 24 hour period, using the cross-Channel electricity link, in volume and cash terms, at current prices;
(2) if he will list his powers to regulate the import of electricity from France;
(3) if it remains his policy that the intention of the cross-Channel electricity link is simply to iron out daily fluctuations in electricity demand in France and the United Kingdom;
178W(4) on what date the cross-Channel electricity link between the United Kingdom and France will come into operation.
§ Mr. GoodladI have no specific powers to regulate the import of electricity from France. The Central Electricity Generating Board and Electricité de France are responsible for the commercial operation of the link. I expect these bodies to make commercial agreements to obtain maximum benefit for both countries, taking account of prevailing circumstances. Once the Link is fully commissioned, the maximum amount of electricity that could be imported to the United Kingdom via the link is 48 Gigawatt hours in any 24-hour period. The cost of any imported energy is a commercial matter for the electricity utilities, but in terms of CEGB sales the current value of 48 GWh of imported energy would vary between £1 million and £1.2 million per day, depending on the time of year. The first part of the link is expected to become operational in the autumn of this year and the second half a year later.