The UK power industry has advised the Government that the development of “clean coal” power stations will not take place without heavy subsidies and higher electricity prices.
The first “clean coal” power plants, which could dramatically cut carbon emissions, will need £multimillion grants.
One of the UK’s largest energy suppliers, has said that Britain and other European countries must penalise polluters by doubling the cost of carbon permits under the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), which would raise the cost of electricity.
One of the UK’s largest energy suppliers, has said that Britain and other European countries must penalise polluters by doubling the cost of carbon permits under the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), which would raise the cost of electricity.
The warning over the price of green energy came as the Government delayed publication of its Energy White Paper. The company has ask the Government for clarity over plans to support clean coal technology as it reveals a blueprint to build Britain’s biggest coal-fired power station for more than 30 years.
A large number of new power stations are at the planning stage, but the industry expects that financial support will go to only a small number carbon capture projects, which would need grants of some £300 million each to get off the ground.
The facts
There is no physical difference between clean or ‘dirty’ coal. “Clean coal” refers to technologies designed to cut emissions. Coal can be “cleaned” of unwanted minerals and impurities. Technologies include capturing CO2 from the burning coal or extracting synthetic gas from coal The CO2 can then be stored in spent North Sea oil and gas fields. Carbon capture could reduce CO2 emissions by 90 per cent per plant.
There is no physical difference between clean or ‘dirty’ coal. “Clean coal” refers to technologies designed to cut emissions. Coal can be “cleaned” of unwanted minerals and impurities. Technologies include capturing CO2 from the burning coal or extracting synthetic gas from coal The CO2 can then be stored in spent North Sea oil and gas fields. Carbon capture could reduce CO2 emissions by 90 per cent per plant.
Decision
It has been said that we are not going to solve climate change without clean coal and without China/India/the US. A technical lead on clean coal technology can be a fantastic opportunity for the UK industry but a decision on the deployment of first clean coal plants needs to take place in the not too distant future.
It has been said that we are not going to solve climate change without clean coal and without China/India/the US. A technical lead on clean coal technology can be a fantastic opportunity for the UK industry but a decision on the deployment of first clean coal plants needs to take place in the not too distant future.
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