But the environmental group has warned that Ed Davey will end up sabotaging his own party’s efforts if his department allows energy firms to bid for multi-billion-pound subsidies that could be used to refurbish and extend the lifespan of polluting coal plants.
Commenting on the announcement, Greenpeace UK energy campaigner Lawrence Carter said:
“The Lib Dems must be given credit for being the first party to put a clear expiry date on our polluting coal plants. Britain’s addiction to the dirtiest fossil fuel is giving us more air pollution, climate change, and dependence on volatile imports from countries like Russia. This is one policy on which it shouldn’t be so hard for Labour and the Tories to agree with Nick.
“But the Lib Dems could sabotage their own commitment to end coal if coalition ministers go ahead with giving energy firms billions of pounds in subsidies that could be used to patch up old coal plants, allowing them to stay open for longer.”
Late last Friday, the National Grid gave the green light for eight coal-fired power stations, including ones run by EDF, RWE, and SSE, to bid for billions of pounds of new subsidies designed to reward generators for providing back-up power to the grid.
An Energydesk analysis published yesterday showed these coal plants could be in line for a £2.2bn windfall, paid for by energy customers. It also revealed that 70% of the subsidies are likely to go to the Big Six and that a mere 14% will be invested in building new generating capacity. [1]
Greenpeace has warned these subsidies will be used by energy companies to refurbish old coal plants, allowing them to stay open even after tougher new air quality standards have come into effect. Extending the lifespan of these power stations will lock Britain into many more years of coal burning, with serious consequences for our health, climate, and energy security.
UK coal plants are responsible for an estimated 1,600 premature deaths a year, and health costs of up to £3.1 billion, according to health experts. [2] Britain also depends on a clique of Russian oligarchs for 50% of its coal imports. [3]
ENDS
Notes
[3] http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/business/industries/utilities/article4222871.ece
