§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of when coal will disappear as a plausible energy source owing to emission constraints. [125585]
§ Mr. TimmsPublished supporting analysis to the Energy White Paper published in February 2003 suggests that coal could still represent more than 10 per cent. of total UK energy use in 2010, while falling to somewhat below 10 per cent. by 2020. The fall partly reflects the impact of an increase in the age structure of existing coal plants on plant economics, but also incorporates the impact of certain policies such as the Climate Change Programme, Large Combustion Plant Directive and the National Emissions Ceilings Directive.
The White Paper itself recognizes that the pressures on coal from an environmental direction may increase in future, but comment.; on the potential for coal to remain as a major fuel source if combined with clean coal technology or capture and storage techniques.