§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what were electricity prices for consumers of 40 MW/8,000 hours supply, 10 MW/6,000 hours supply and 4 MW/4,000 hours supply, expressed in pence/kWh, in each European Community country in each quarter of 1988;
(2) if he will make a statement on the competitive position of United Kingdom electricity consumers of 40 MW/8,000 hours supply and 10 MW/6,000 hours supply, in relation to similar consumers in other European Community countries;
(3) what is his policy with regard to future electricity price increases affecting United Kingdom consumers of 40 MW/8,000 hours supply and 10 MW/6,000 hours supply and the effect on the United Kingdom's competitive position.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Department does not collate information in the form requested. The following table shows industrial electricity prices in the European Community for a range of consumption patterns. It shows that industrial electricity prices in England and Wales are in the mid-range of prices in the European Community. After privatisation large industrial consumers will be able to take advantage of the new competitive environment to purchase electricity from the cheapest available source.
Prices in pence/k Wh as at I July 1988 Maximum demand Load factor 2.5MW 10MW 40 per cent. 60 per cent. 80 per cent. Belgium 4.07 3.09 2.59 Denmark 2.38 2.00 1.71 France 3.72 2.85 2.57 Germany 6.23 4.90 4.34 Greece 4.46 3.89 3.42 Ireland 4.23 3.47 3.22 Italy 4.57 3.23 2.61 Luxembourg 3.96 3.27 2.90 Netherlands 3.14 2.84 2.55 Portugal 4.78 4.02 3.76 Spain 4.76 4.35 3.86 England and Wales 4.20 3.61 3.37 SourceInternational Electricity Prices Quarterly, Electricity Council, October 1988.