Letters (October 2009)

Dear Editor

I write in response to the article by David Golding "Burning Coal - a very bad idea!" A fuller response would be justified, but it would involve much technical content which would be of no interest to readers of the Link.

The UK government's prediction for generation mix in year 2020 is Gas (50%),Renewable Energy (principally wind) 30% , Nuclear(10%), and Coal(10%), Heavy reliance in future will be placed on gas-fired generation to supply half our energy needs. In 2020 around 80% of UK gas will be imported with 15% using the two Netherlands-UK pipelines. This will be European gas mainly fed from Russia. Some gas will imported in tankers in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and some from Norway.

The most worrying aspect of the government's proposed power plans is if 30% of our electrical energy cannot be supplied from wind or renewable sources in 2020 due to manufacturing and construction problems. The portents for electric power generation from wind in the UK are not promising. The only factory (Danish Vestas) in the UK manufacturing wind turbines has just shut its doors. Some very large wind turbine farms are planned in Scotland (e.g. outer Hebrides), and off-shore, but there are serious power transmission problems to overcome.

The two new nuclear plants (European Pressurised Reactors) being built are experiencing constructional and technical problems that will result in a construction time of nine years or more. Nuclear plant would just become available in 2020 if construction were started now. Ageing nuclear plants are being shut down, and all that remains is the waste and the cost of waste disposal. The fact that we have had 50 years in which to solve the problem of nuclear waste is hardly inspiring. If the problem were that simple, it would have been solved long ago.

The government proposal for only 10% of coal-fired generation is very modest. Modern coal fired generation will yield around 50% additional power for the same CO2 emissions of old plant. Coal can readily be stored providing a secure buffer if imported coal is not delivered on time. At present the UK government is seeking to enlist the help of India to develop CCS (Carbon Capture Storage) plant. Our own power industries have been decimated. (in the North East C.A.Parsons, Clarke-Chapman, Reyrolle to name but a few). Prof. Ian Fells of Newcastle University has said that "it beggars belief that almost the whole of our generating capacity is owned by foreign companies". Thereby hangs another tale.

The real problem is if a "black hole" appears in the UK generation programme, then coalfired generation may be required to maintain energy security. The ability of the UK gas grid to supply over and above the 80% of imports scheduled in 2020 to cover any "black hole" is open to debate. More gasfired plants may not be an option. The problem of climate change and how to minimise it involves many complex issues. It is a global problem, and the effects of climate change are mainly in the hands of other countries apart from the UK. Time alone will tell whether "King Coal" will be back. If we do not start building power plants of some sort soon, we may need to invest in candles!

John Cure, Monkseaton

To read Dr. David Golding's article 'Burning coal - a very bad idea', click here.

To read John Cure's original letter, click here.