Industry NewsGreen campaigners are attacking the UK Government over reports it is delaying new laws on power-plant emissions. It has been claimed this could allow new coal plants to be built without stringent carbon output limits. The Government has denied these claims, saying any new plants will be controlled. The issue has again raised the concerns over where new power will come from, as the UK moves towards a low-carbon economy. The situation is likely to see consumer costs increase, whatever the outcome.
The Government is to delay the setting up of an Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) for new power plants until next year. An EPS would have given a legal limit for carbon on all new developments. The scheme had been a major part of the coalition's energy plans. The news is seen as a climb-down on its environmental policy. The Government is now planning a consultation from September on energy policy and market reform. This means any changes are unlikely to be seen this year. It is expected that the review will lead to new taxes and levies to support green energy technologies. However, the government has underlined that no additional support will be given to nuclear power.
Following the negative press seen over the weekend, Chris Huhne, the energy and climate change secretary, has responded to the concerns. He has been quick to refute claims this will lead to a wave of new coal-fired plants being built. He stated that, "While the details of an Emissions Performance Standard are still being finalised, we are clear that without [Carbon Capture and Storage] it would be impossible to meet such a standard." He added, "An Emissions Performance Standard on its own is not a magic bullet to decarbonise our economy. We have inherited an energy system that has suffered from a lack of clear direction and was not fit for purpose. That is why we will be implementing comprehensive electricity market reform to ensure that we can have a secure, low carbon, affordable electricity mix for decades to come."