The controversial proposal to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent has been thrown into doubt tonight. An email from German utility giant E.ON to Greenpeace reveals the company no longer thinks construction is currently economic. The email reveals the company is shelving the project for 2-3 years at least.
Kingsnorth attracted huge controversy, with protests over several years including a high-profile Climate Camp. Six Greenpeace protesters who climbed the smokestack at the plant were later acquitted in a high-profile case after the jury accepted the plant posed a greater threat than the activities of the activists.
Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said:
"This development is extremely good news for the climate and in a stroke significantly reduces the chances of an unabated Kingsnorth plant ever being built. The case for new coal is crumbling, with even E.ON now accepting it's not currently economic to build new plants. The huge diverse coalition of people who have campaigned against Kingsnorth because of the threat it posed to the climate should take heart that emissions from new coal are now even less likely in Britain."
He added:
"Ed Miliband now has a golden opportunity to rule out all emissions from new coal as a sign of Britain's leadership before the key Copenhagen climate meeting. With E.ON's announcement he's now got an open goal."
ENDS
Greenpeace press office - 07801 212967
