17/06/2009
AEP comment on the Government’s clean coal consultation
Commenting on the government’s consultation on clean coal (‘A framework for the development of clean coal’: Consultation Document, 17 June 2009), David Porter, Chief Executive of the Association of Electricity Producers said:
‘We welcome the consultation. The government recognises the importance of coal for the security of our electricity supply. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) could offer a long-term future for an enormous and widely available energy resource, but, first it has to be tried and tested successfully on a commercial scale.
‘The consultation suggests that CCS might become obligatory for existing coal-fired power stations. As the consultation points out, they were not designed for that and they could be forced to close. They are already operating under strict and ever-tightening environmental controls – for CO2 and air quality – and with security of supply in mind, this is a sensitive issue that we shall be discussing with the government. ’
David Porter went on to say:
‘I have just returned from the Annual Conference of the pan European Electricity body Eurelectric, where an exhibition was dedicated to CCS technology and where Chris Davies MEP (a UK member), was presented with an award for his work in the European Parliament which encouraged the development of CCS.’
ENDS
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Rachel Hunter
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