Written question asked by Viscount Montgomery of Alamein (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Marland (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 January 2011.

Energy: Electricity

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of total electricity has been received by transfer through the two DC cross-channel interconnectors over the last five years; and what proportion they anticipate will be received in this manner over the next five years.

Answer: According to information published on National Grid's website, imports through the GB-France interconnector have been 3.1 per cent in 2006, 2.5 per cent in 2007, 3.6 per cent in 2008, 2.1 per cent in 2009 and 2.2 per cent in 2010 as a percentage of annual demand in Great Britain. These figures do not reflect exports from GB to France. Future imports through the electricity interconnector with France are not modelled separately from other interconnectors. The most recent projection is that around two per cent of the UK's needs will be met from imports. The actual level of import over the next five years will depend on the differences in price between GB and French markets, and the capacity of new interconnectors that become operational over that period. Interconnector capacity is expected to develop over the next five years, for example the GB-Netherlands interconnector, which should become operational in early 2011.

Secondary information