Ministers to rule on coal-fired power station

Published on Thursday 3 January 2008 22:28

MINISTERS will decide whether to give the go-ahead for Britain's first coal-fired power station in more than 20 years after local councillors backed the plan despite protests from environmental campaigners.

Energy giant E.On UK wants to replace existing coal-fired units at Kingsnorth power station in Medway, Kent, with two new cleaner coal units under a 1 billion scheme.

The firm said the move would produce power from coal more efficiently and more cleanly than ever before in the UK. Backers claim it would produce enough energy to supply about 1.5 million homes from 2012 as well as cutting carbon emissions by almost two million tons a year.

Medway councillors supported the plan, which attracted thousands of objections, but the final decision will be made by the government.

Greenpeace last night said the proposal gave Gordon Brown his biggest test since pledging to put Britain at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change.

The group warned that if the Prime Minister gives the green light to the new coal-fired station, it would signal Mr Brown's "surrender" on the UK's long-term climate change targets.

Conservation charity WWF also expressed "grave concern" at the council's approval of the application, adding that if it was built, the plant would "badly undermine" the UK's ability to reduce its carbon emissions.

But Jonathan Smith, an E.On spokesman said: "We're delighted the council has found in favour of the scheme. The final decision rests with the government, but we're confident the plans will go ahead."