§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures his Department is taking to improve the efficiency of British power stations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarThe choice of fuel and type of plant for power stations are commercial matters for generators. The major plants constructed recently or for which consent has been given use combined cycle gas turbines which operate at a higher level of energy efficiency than the old plant which they replace.
The Government support the wider use of combined heat and power plant, which can operate at very high levels of efficiency, wherever this is economic, and have a role in addressing any unnecessary barriers to such developments. On 16 December, the Government announced changes to the regulations governing on-site generation of electricity. These changes should encourage the further development of combined heat and power schemes.