§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the excess of generating capacity over consumption if all electricity from UK nuclear power stations were to cease. [89087]
§ Mr. WilsonUK generation capacity currently exceeds peak demand by more than 20 per cent. Nuclear currently makes up around 15 per cent. of UK capacity. Reflecting overall excess capacity wholesale electricity prices are low and some capacity has been mothballed. The impact on capacity margins of a cessation of electricity from nuclear power stations will therefore depend on the timescale over which nuclear output were to decline. Mothballed plant could return to operation. In the longer term new plant would be built.
Output from nuclear power stations is forecast to decline from its current level of around 20 per cent. of total generation to around 7 per cent. by 2020 as existing stations close, unless the regulatory authorities approve extensions to the life of these stations or new capacity is introduced.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sum has been identified as representing the maximum cost to public spending over the next 10 years of supporting the nuclear industry. [89090]
§ Mr. WilsonOn current projections, the clean up of nuclear liabilities at BNFL and UK Atomic Energy Authority sites is expected to cost some £1.3 billion per year over the next 10 to 15 years. In addition., the cost of the Government's contribution to British Energy's historic nuclear fuel liabilities is expected to average £150 million to £200 million per year for the next 10 years and fall thereafter.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the time a discontinued nuclear power station should remain untouched before dismantling begins. [89091]
§ Mr. WilsonDecommissioning of a nuclear power station, including details of timing, is a matter for the operator, taking into account the requirements of the regulatory authorities.