§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what increase in non-fossil fuel resources and/or reduction in energy demand would be needed to compensate for the expected closure of almost all existing UK nuclear plant by 2020. [127480]
§ Mrs. LiddellNuclear output in 1999 is estimated to have been about 88TWh, forming some 28 per cent. of the total net supply from major power producers. In the DTI's recent Working Paper on energy projections, nuclear output was projected to fall to around 27TWh in 2020, representing a reduction of 61TWh from the 1999 level. If non-fossil sources were to substitute for the 61TWh of output entirely, this would require an increase in output from non-fossil sources of 500 per cent. from current levels or an increase of 67 per cent. from the projected level in 2020. To compensate for the 61TWh 135W of output through reductions in electricity use, including losses, would require electricity demand in 2020 to be some 17 per cent. less than projected.