However, this is predicated on whether gas-fuelled power plants can fill the void created by weaning the UK’s power sector off coal. Ms. Rudd stated that the UK needed more gas-fired plants since relying on “polluting” coal was “perverse”.
Former US Vice President Al Gore, an active campaigner for clean energy, described the announcement as an “excellent and inspiring precedent”. Although other environmentalists are concerned that little is being done to promote UK renewables.
Coal power plants would be exempt from closure if they had installed carbon capture and storage (CCS) before 2025. However, very little progress has so far been made rolling the technology out across the sector due to its costs.