HC Deb 26 October 1992 vol 212 cc519-20W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish figures showing the percentage of electricity which is produced from renewable sources in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Eggar

The electricity produced from renewable sources of energy in the United Kingdom in 1991 was equivalent to 2 per cent. of total electricity generated in that year.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will, at 1992 or other price datum, give the comparable capital cost and full fuel costs, respectively, for production of one kilowatt hour of electricity from the most efficient power stations now available, using atomic, coal and gas fuel, respectively.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish his latest comparative list of the range of costs per kilowatt of generating electricity from(a) coal, (b) nuclear, (c) hydroelectric and (d) gas sources.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 19 October 1992]: The comparable capital and full fuel costs per kilowatt hour of power stations using different fuels depends significantly upon the contractual terms of fuel purchase, and the contractual terms under which the power station is to be constructed and operated. These are commercial matters for the companies concerned. As far as electricity is concerned, it is up to the Director General of Electricity Supply to ensure that the regional electricity companies comply with their economic purchasing obligations. My Department will be assessing the evidence available on comparative costs as part of the Government's review.

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