Techno Bits

In next month's energy white paper, the government is expected to draw attention to the energy mix which the UK must rely on in the future, particularly looking at how to develop so-called "clean" coal-fired power. The government is keen on coal, not just for domestic reasons but because of the huge global potential. If you can clean up the coal industry, then that is an environmental opportunity.

Coal is still the UK's biggest source of energy. If there is a future, it may be on the basis of clean coal technology. The white paper will also look at the extent to which the UK is content to become reliant on gas supply in the future. The fear is that 20 years from now, the UK will be forced to rely on gas imported from less stable parts of the world such as Russia, rather than indigenously generated power.

Posted - January 21, 2003