The business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, stated that an extension will aid in bolstering supply amid uncertainty in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but disappointed climate activists. The British government has extended the life of a coal-fired power plant to “enhance” energy security, despite lobbying other nations last year to “consign coal to history.”
The business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng stated on Twitter that the government has reached an agreement with EDF to keep the West Burton power station operational this winter, as opposed to October as originally scheduled.
The business secretary tweeted, “Given the uncertainties in Europe in the wake of the invasion, it is appropriate that we investigate all alternatives to increase supply.
If we have backup power available, let’s keep it online just in case. I will not take chances.
“For our long-term energy security, we are speeding the development of renewable and nuclear energy while maximizing North Sea oil and gas output,” he stated.
Coal is the most polluting fossil fuel, and as the host of the COP26 climate summit, the government encouraged other nations to “relegate coal to the dustbin of history”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson frequently reiterated “cash, coal, cars, trees” as a mantra summarising the United Kingdom’s priorities to address during the international negotiations in Glasgow.
Since then, Russia’s most recent invasion of Ukraine has substantially altered the energy and geopolitical environment, jolting energy security around the globe, with the European Union, in particular, feeling the strain on its gas supply and pricing.
Some anticipate that the disruption will hasten the transition to renewables, as climate and geopolitical objectives of moving away from gas are aligned, while others fear that it may impede climate action as governments revert to filthy energy sources such as coal.
As governments searched for an alternative to highly polluting coal, gas consumption increased.
Under the guise of energy security, activists have accused several nations of intensifying their fossil fuel production.
Doug Parr, policy director for Greenpeace UK, stated that unless the United Kingdom desires an international reputation as a hypocrite, these coal stations must remain dormant unless there is a genuine emergency gas crisis.
“Had successive Conservative governments not crippled onshore renewables and failed to alter the planning regulations that continue to impede their development, perhaps we wouldn’t be so dependent on gas – and now potentially coal – for our electricity,” he stated.
To reduce demand, he advocated for the acceleration of renewable projects on land and at sea, as well as an increase in housing insulation.
