UK MPs decide against bringing forward decarbonisation target

• 10 years ago (2013-06-06)
• Junior Isles

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UK MPs have voted down an amendment to the government's Energy Bill which would have forced through tougher carbon targets from 2014 and limited new gas plants being built after 2020.

The vote came just days after the release of new figures revealing UK shale gas resources could be a lot higher than previously thought, leaving MPs reluctant to abandon gas expansion as a solution to rising dependence on imported gas.

The proposed amendment would have set a decarbonisation goal for electricity generation for 2030 no later than April 1, 2014; two years earlier than current government targets.

The amendment’s supporters wanted the decarbonisation date brought forward given that utilities would have to make long-term investment decisions years before then.

The government’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC) had suggested that the carbon intensity of power generation be reduced from an average of 500 g CO2/kWh to 50 g CO2 /kWh.

This would imply a limit on new gas-fired power plants after 2020, unless carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology could be developed or they were merely used as back-up for intermittent renewables.

The 2030 decarbonisation target was popular with businesses and green groups alike, as it would clarify the future regulatory structure for energy investors and support investment, though opponents were concerned by the potential for higher energy bills.