Coal-fired power stations must not be built unless they can capture and store carbon dioxide, the Environment Agency has warned. This means that plants like the one proposed at Kingsnorth in Kent could lock the UK into high carbon technology. Even if stations can be fitted with clean coal technology at a later stage, that would be insufficient for them to be approved, the Agency has argued. The Government will make its final decision on Kingsnorth in the next few months.
Opponents fear that if the Prime Minister approves power company E.On's bid, it could pave the way for a whole series of similar coal plants. Lord Smith, chairman of the Agency commented, "Building a new generation of coal-fired power stations without capturing the carbon emissions would lock the UK into using high carbon technology for decades to come. This is not an environmentally sustainable way of generating power given the challenges we face with climate change. Although carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) has been demonstrated on a small scale, there is now an urgent need for it to be demonstrated on a commercial scale."
CSS involves capturing the carbon dioxide emitted during the burning of fossil fuels, and then transporting it and storing it in a secure geological facility. E.On says its new station at Kingsnorth will be built with "carbon capture readiness." Meaning it will have the capability to install CSS technology at a later date, should it ever become commercially viable. But the Agency believes that guarantee is not enough for the Government to approve the power plant.
The Government promised a decision in October on how it will fund a full-scale CSS proposal in the UK. But even if the technology can be demonstrated, it may take decades before CCS becomes cost-effective, when compared to other methods of reducing emissions. The current Kingsnorth power station is due to close in 2015. E.On wants to replace it with two new coal units, which it claims will be 20% cleaner. Its plans have already been approved by Medway Council, and the final decision rests with Business Secretary John Hutton.
