Coal-fired power station gains government support

Today the business secretary, John Hutton, indicated government support for coal-fired power stations.

Hutton spoke of the key-role that power generation from fossil fuels would continue to take in Britain. This is despite planned development of renewable and nuclear power.

This view does not bode well for environmentalists as it seems to show an inclination towards a final approval of plans for the UK’s first coal-fired power station in about twenty years, situated at Kingsnorth, Kent.

The energy firm E.on plans to replace an outdated plant with two new units that will use cleaner coal and hopefully provide energy to over 1.5million homes by 2012. The plan would total an estimated £1billion.

At a London conference held today Hutton spoke of the fact that a belief that coal-fired power stations undermine the UK’s leadership position on climate change is unfounded. As he saw it these stations in fact did the opposite, promoting the UK’s leadership role by showing action taken on capping emissions, supporting the development of new carbon capture and carbon pricing. Hutton pointed out the benefits of action over mere “gesture politics.”

Fossil fuels were outlined by Hutton as playing a key part in guaranteeing the flexible nature of electricity generation. He pointed out that electricity demand fluctuates, particularly so in winter when fast, short-term increases in production are necessary, neither wind nor nuclear can carry out this need.

Hutton therefore recognised what he saw as a need for a fossil fuel back-up for these short-term increases in demand, with coal in particular playing an important role as a source of flexibility.

He spoke of the 20% of UK energy that nuclear and renewables account for alongside plans for the country to, by 2020, generate 15% of renewable energy to meet its EU target. However Hutton acknowledged the significant proportion of electricity coming from fossil fuel.

Whilst Hutton spoke of the fact that gas is cleaner than coal, he also spoke of the fact that an over-reliance on this form of energy generation would expose the UK to the international gas market as its own resources deteriorate.

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, spoke of the determination held by ministers to allow the coal-fired power station to go ahead. Clegg discussed the fact that without carbon capture and storage any notion of clean coal is a myth.

He claimed that the “monstrosity” will emit only 20% less than similar coal-fired stations and still 75% more than a gas-powered plant. Clegg held the opinion that the station should not be given any go-ahead until capture and storage technologies are in full swing.

Conservative shadow business secretary, Alan Duncan, spoke of Hutton’s reliance on gestures in his energy policy, as opposed to facts.

The Tory shadow business secretary, Alan Duncan, said Hutton was guilty of basing energy policy on gestures, rather than facts.

A campaigner from the World Development Movement, Lelia Dean, spoke of Hutton’s hypocrisy in accusing green groups of gesture politics when it seems he is likely to rapidly consent to Kingsnorth plans, in an undemocratic and dangerous move reliant on promises of performance made by big business.