HC Deb 29 January 1990 vol 166 c86W
Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if supplies of French nuclear-generated electricity imported via the cross-Channel interconnector will be included within the non-fossil fuel quota of electricity supplied to the grid in the United Kingdom;

(2) what steps he will be taking to ensure that there is no subsidisation of nuclear-generated electricity purchased from Electricité de France under the arrangements for the non-fossil fuel quota.

Mr. Baldry

The cross-Channel link was built to be used for electricity trading in both directions and mutual assistance. Recent trading has been in both directions. Negotiations are taking place with Electricité de France for these arrangements to continue in future. Given the interruptible nature of these arrangements, imports through the link will not qualify for inclusion in the non-fossil fuel obligation. Electricity sales through the link will be on a fully commercial basis, without subsidy.

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total in(a) GWh, and (b) cost, of electricity imported from France via the cross-Channel interconnector in 1989.

Mr. Baldry

Figures for the whole year are not yet available. For the first 11 months of 1989, imports totalled 13,210 GWh with a value of £285.3 million1.

I understand that figures for December will show the United Kingdom was a net exporter of electricity to France.

1 Source: Customs and Excise Overseas Trade Statistics.