LORD EZRA CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT WINTER ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

3.47.53pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 21st Oct 2003

Lord (Derek) Ezra, Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesman, will today question the Government on its plans to ensure that Britain's electricity supply is safeguarded in the future.

In a topical question, Lord Ezra will say:

"Electricity is a vital commodity. As it cannot be stored, there has to be an adequate reserve of generating capacity to meet exceptional demands, especially in winter.

"It is of great concern that the reserve capacity is now lower than in recent years.

"A 40% fall in wholesale electricity prices, caused by new market-based trading arrangements, has led to electricity plants being taken out of the network and mothballed. Although prices are now recovering, so far, the rises are not sufficient to bring back decommissioned plants.

"As winter approaches, the Government must take immediate action to ensure there is an adequate safety margin of electricity capacity. This is too serious to be left to market forces."