HC Deb 16 February 1990 vol 167 cc471-2W
Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of United Kingdom electricity was generated by coal in each year from 1974.

Mr. Baldry

The information required is detailed in the table:

Percentage of gross electricity supplied by coal fired station, 1974–75 to 1987–88
United Kingdom public supply
Year Percentage
1974–75 60.1
1975–76 66.5
1976–77 68.1
1977–78 66.1
1978–79 67.1
1979–80 70.8
1980–81 72.5
1981–82 73.5
1982–83 70.7
1983–84 72.1
1984–85 39.1
1985–86 71.7
1986–87 66.5
1987–88 69.7

Source: Department of Energy 'Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics', table 54.

Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the tonnage and cost of British coal to the Central Electricity Generating Board in each year from 1974.

Mr. Baldry

Tables 1 and 2 contain the information required:

Table 1
Coal delivered to CEGB by British Coal 1974–75 to 1988–89
Year Million tonnes
1974–75 65
1975–76 65
1976–77 69
1977–78 69
1978–79 69
1979–80 78
1980–81 75
1981–82 74
1982–83 79
1983–84 70
1984–85 29
1985–86 80
1986–87 74
1987–88 76
1988–89 74

Source: Central Electricity Generating Board 'Statistical Yearbook' 1975–76 to 1988–89.

Table 2
Average price of coal used by electricity supply industry (Great Britain)1
Year £ per tonne
1974 9.29
1975 14.16
1976 16.89
1977 19.66
1978 21.97
1979 25.32
1980 31.84
1981 37.43
1982 40.21
1983 42.49
1984 42.82
1985 45.68
1986 46.23
1987 43.83
1988 47.17
1 Includes Scotland.

Source: Department of Energy "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1989" table 68.