Licensing of new coal mines is set to be restricted as the
government commits to bringing in legislation which will prohibit
new coal mining projects.
The government today (14 November) confirmed it will introduce
new legislation as soon as possible to restrict the future
licensing of new coal mines.
Coal power remains the largest source of energy-related CO2
emissions globally. Phasing it out is a crucial step to tackling
climate change and limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C,
while providing important health benefits through improved air
quality.
Britain became the first major economy to stop burning coal for
power in October, with the closure of the country's last
coal-fired power station at Ratcliffe on Soar, following 50 years
of service. It means coal has gone from generating around 40% of
the UK's electricity supply in 2012 to 0%.
The Energy Minister has paid tribute to the coal miners who
“powered our country”- saying that they leave a legacy that this
country can be proud of.
As the coal age ends, the clean energy age is ramping up, with
the government committing to unprecedented investment in
homegrown clean energy in the UK including carbon capture and
hydrogen.
As part of the government's clean energy superpower mission, this
continued transition away from fossil fuels will create hundreds
of thousands of good new jobs across the UK and revitalise the
country's industrial heartlands.
It comes after the independent National Energy System Operator
(NESO) confirmed last week that achieving clean power by 2030 is
achievable and can unlock cheaper, more secure electricity.
Energy Minister said:
Coal mining powered this country for over 140 years and we owe a
huge debt to workers who kept the lights on for homes and
businesses across the country.
Now the UK is in prime position to lead the way in phasing out
coal power around the world, which remains the single largest
contributor to global emissions.
By consigning coal power to the past, we can pave the way for a
clean, secure energy system that will protect billpayers and
create a new generation of skilled workers.
The UK has led the way in meeting global climate change targets
to phase out coal-fired power. The government's plan to prevent
future coal mining is another step in its mission to make Britain
a clean energy superpower, by transitioning away from fossil
fuels to cleaner, homegrown energy sources.
Since July, the government has accelerated Britain's transition,
by reversing the onshore wind ban in England, approving 2GW of
new solar projects to power hundreds of thousands of homes,
announcing the biggest ever investment in offshore wind, and
launching Great British Energy that will own and invest in clean
power projects across the UK.
To support workers, the government has also set up the Office for
Clean Energy Jobs to help the next generation of skilled workers
to access UK-wide job opportunities that the government's clean
energy superpower mission will help create.
Unions worked closely with Ratcliffe on Soar's owner, Uniper, on
a strong redundancy package including identifying opportunities
for the plant's staff such as internal transfers, roles with
external companies and training courses.
On top of this, the government recently confirmed £21.7 billion
funding for carbon capture projects in the North West and North
East of England, which is set to support up to 50,000 jobs, as
well as £2.3 billion for the first round of electrolytic hydrogen
production contracts.
At the COP29 Summit this week in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Prime
Minister announced the Clean Industry Bonus that will offer £27
million per Gigawatt to offshore wind developers who invest in
the UK's historic industrial heartlands, coastal areas and oil
and gas communities.
It follows confirmation that 120,000 former mineworkers will
receive a 32% boost to their pensions, as £1.5 billion of money
that was kept from their pensions is handed over to their
schemes, ensuring those who powered the country for decades
finally get the just rewards from their labour.
Notes to editors
Limited exceptions to the ban may be required for safety or
restoration purposes. An exemption is also anticipated to protect
the historic rights of freeminers to mine personal gales in the
Forest of Dean.
The government has laid a Written Ministerial Statement
confirming that it will introduce legislation to restrict the
future licensing of new coal mines, by amending the Coal Industry
Act 1994, when Parliamentary time allows.
