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High-Load Factor Electricity Consumers

Volume 22: debated on Monday 19 April 1982

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asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many large high-load factor, plus 70 per cent. electricity customers there are in the United Kingdom; which industries they cover; and what is the total annual consumption by sector.

I am advised by the Electricity Council that the number of large, high-load factor consumers in England and Wales in 1980–81 and their aggregate consumption was as follows:

Consumers in England and Wales with Maximum demand over 10 MW and Load factor over 70%
SectorNo. of ConsumersAggregate Consumption (in KWh)
Mining (other than coal) and quarrying193
Coal and petroleum products2261
General chemicals102,333
Pharmaceuticals, soaps, synthetic resins and fertilisers4469
Manufacture of copper, brass and other base metals2232
Motor vehicle manufacture1210
Textiles4344
Glass and Cement3221
Paper and Board2204
Air transport167
Total304,435
Electricity supplies in Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the value of improved load management assessed at about £70 million, to each industrial sector accommodating large high-load factor electricity customers.

I am advised by the Electricity Council that it is not yet possible to give definitive figures, but it is anticipated that about one third of the benefit from the new contracted consumer load arrangements will fall to consumers in the steel sector, one third to the chemicals sector and the remaining third to consumers in a number of other sectors including non-ferrous metals, tubes and castings, the engineering industry generally and cement, paper and board. The benefit will go to consumers ready to subscribe to the terms and conditions of the scheme and will not be restricted to those with a very high load factor.