An article in the British energy industry magazine Power reports that UK government has announced that it will close all coal-fired power stations by 2025.
In a major speech setting out the future direction of the UK’s energy policy, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd announced plans to restrict the use of the country’s coal-fired power stations by 2023 and close all of the facilities by 2025.
“Frankly, it cannot be satisfactory for an advanced economy like the UK to be relying on polluting, carbon intensive 50-year-old coal-fired power stations,” Rudd said while speaking in London before the Institution of Civil Engineers. “We need to build a new energy infrastructure, fit for the 21st century.”
The article states that 30 per cent of the UK’s electricity is currently generated by coal power stations, so the obvious question is what will replace coal?
One might expect wind and solar would be scaled up as a green alternative, but Amber Rudd is quoted in the article as saying that natural gas and nuclear will make up the difference — offshore wind considered to still be too expensive. In addition to the new nuclear reactor that is scheduled to be built at Hinkley Point, she states that a “new fleet” of nuclear plants will be needed. Shale gas exploration will also be encouraged in an effort to get more domestic gas supplies online.
Of course there is no mention of LENR here to help meet energy needs. I think most governments would never mention it publicly at this point, even if they are paying attention. But things can change quite quickly, and it would not surprise me if the tides turn within the next few years and – in accordance with Tom Darden’s long term dream — LENR will start being seen as an important substitute for coal.
UK to Close all Coal Power Plants by 2025 (Nuclear and Gas to Replace)
An article in the British energy industry magazine Power reports that UK government has announced that it will close all coal-fired power stations by 2025.
The article can be read here: http://www.powermag.com/uk-to-close-all-coal-fired-power-plants-by-2025/?pagenum=1
Here’s an excerpt:
The article states that 30 per cent of the UK’s electricity is currently generated by coal power stations, so the obvious question is what will replace coal?
One might expect wind and solar would be scaled up as a green alternative, but Amber Rudd is quoted in the article as saying that natural gas and nuclear will make up the difference — offshore wind considered to still be too expensive. In addition to the new nuclear reactor that is scheduled to be built at Hinkley Point, she states that a “new fleet” of nuclear plants will be needed. Shale gas exploration will also be encouraged in an effort to get more domestic gas supplies online.
Of course there is no mention of LENR here to help meet energy needs. I think most governments would never mention it publicly at this point, even if they are paying attention. But things can change quite quickly, and it would not surprise me if the tides turn within the next few years and – in accordance with Tom Darden’s long term dream — LENR will start being seen as an important substitute for coal.