Coal Power Plant Decision Deferred

I mentioned the proposed new coal fired power station from E.on to be built in Kingsnorth in Kent in my post regarding Gordon Brown's Climate Change Bill.

The existing power plant in Kingsnorth, Kent provides up to 7.5% of the UK's current electricity demand by burning 750 tonnes of coal per hour. The new power plant would improve efficiency by 20%, equating to carbon emission savings of 2m tonnes a year, however if the proposal is rejected the existing plant will need to close as it will not meet with legislation regarding emissions. This is a scenario facing half of UK coal fired power stations. With the closure of nine nuclear power plants over the next ten years this will result in a reduction in production of electricity of 30%. Eyes will be carefully watching the news in the future for a conclusive result.

Medway Council met on Wednesday night to discuss the plans. Officers have recommended the council makes no objection. The new proposal has lead to over 9 000 objections from members of the public (8 000 from Greenpeace standard templates or postcards),leader Rodney Chambers announced the decision on the proposal was deferred to allow for more information.

"There will be a meeting of only committee members who will go on the site to gain more details from a presentation by E.ON"
Rodney Chambers, Medway Council

Despite my neutral tone in the text of this article I am against the proposed building, in favour of investment in renewable technologies which can exploit the potential of natural resources in the UK and yield a higher payback ratio than that of coal fired power plants. However this could lead to an energy crisis by 2015 if solutions are not derived to fill the gap that once was filled by our coal fired power plants closing in the next decade. It's a tough decision that will not be taken lightly and will test the resolute of the governments climate change bill.