§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what proportion UK electricity generating capacity exceeds average peak demand in 2002. [71526]
§ Mr. WilsonA UK-wide estimate of the plant margin (i.e., the proportion by which installed generation capacity exceeds peak demand) in 2002 is not currently available.
However, according to table A2.3 in Appendix 2 of "The Development of British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements" (http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/
docs2001/74 BETTA.pdf), which was published by OFGEM during December 2001, it was estimated that the plant margin in Great Britain was 25 per cent. in 2001–02. This was forecast to remain constant at 25 per cent. in 2003–04.