§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects the cross-Channel electricity link between France and Britain to come into operation; how much it will cost; what was the British share; what will be the estimated maintenance costs and how they will be divided; what are the main points of the agreement made on its use by the two national generating boards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladThe first half of the link is expected to be commissioned in autumn this year followed by the second half one year later. The cost of the link is being shared in broadly equal proportions by the Central Electricity Generating Board and by Electricité de France. The CEGB's share is estimated at £330 million. Each utility will be responsible for the maintenance of its own terminal equipment and cable. The costs, which are expected to be low, will be divided accordingly.
The use of the link is governed by a protocol agreement signed by the two utilities in June 1981 which provides for the drawing up of specific commercial agreements from time to time.