The UK Says It Will Close All Its Coal Power Stations By 2025

“The United Kingdom is planning to shut down its remaining fleet of coal-fired power plants by 2025.

Amber Rudd, the Secretary of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), announced the plan during a major speech before the Institution of Civil Engineers in London.

“One of the greatest and most cost-effective contributions we can make to emission reductions in electricity is by replacing coal fired power stations with gas,” said Rudd. “If we take this step, we will be one of the first developed countries to deliver on a commitment to take coal off the system.”

The use of coal plants without carbon capture and storage systems will be restricted by 2023 and shuttered permanently by 2025.” said forbes.com

“This will not be easy to do. Currently, the UK generates nearly one third of its electricity supply from coal. Transitioning from coal to cleaner sources of electricity will require more than renewable energy, according to Rudd.

“We have to demonstrate that the low carbon transition can be cost-effective and will deliver growth for the economy and affordable energy prices for consumers,” Rudd said. “In the next 10 years, it’s imperative that we get new gas-fired power stations built.”

Rudd said the government would work to encourage investments in shale gas exploration in the UK to reduce reliance on natural gas imports. In addition, nuclear power is expected to become a far more substantial source of electric power in the UK.” said forbes.com