§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement setting out Her Majesty's Government's assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the current nuclear power provision; and if he intends to expand the provision of nuclear power.
§ Mr. GoodladA total of 20 per cent. of the electricity available from the United Kingdom public supply system was generated by nuclear power in 1985. Our nuclear power stations have proved themselves as reliable base load generating capacity. The security of supply which they have provided has been in contrast to the disruptions in the supply of other fuels in recent years.
Many of our nuclear stations have been in service for more than 20 years and on current estimates are expected to reach the end of their useful lives in the 1990s. The Government believe that it is prudent, in the face of uncertainties over supplies and prices of energy, for the country to have available a range of supply options. Nuclear power stations have the potential to produce electricity more cheaply than other fuels provided they can be built to time and cost. The Government therefore see an important and necessary role for nuclear power in the years ahead. The proportion of electricity generated is expected to rise to about 25 per cent. by the turn of the decade. The contribution for new nuclear capacity will depend on decisions yet to be taken, including that on Sizewell B.