The Government has announced that all polluting coal-fired power stations will be closed by 2025.
The move makes the UK the first major country to end use of the fossil fuel. It comes as Ironbridge Power Station, converted to run on biofuel, closes this week.
But while environmentalists have backed the historic move to phase out coal, the power source responsible for most carbon emissions, concerns have been raised that the Government plans to switch to gas rather than cleaner technology.
Under the plans, all coal power plants which do not have technology to capture their carbon emissions will be shut by 2025, with their use restricted by 2023, a move which meets a previous pledge by Prime Minister David Cameron to phase out coal.
The Government is insisting it will be “imperative” to build new gas-fired power stations in the next 10 years as it turns the emphasis on to new gas and nuclear power plants to cut emissions and ensure energy security.
It comes after a series of announcements cutting support for renewables, which ministers claimed were necessary to prevent rising costs to consumers who pay for subsidies on their energy bills.
The announcement, in the run-up to crucial UN climate talks due to take place in Paris in less than two weeks, has been welcomed in many quarters, with former US vice president Al Gore describing it as an “excellent and inspiring precedent”.
But Green MP Caroline Lucas said: “This switch from coal to gas is like trying to go dry by switching from vodka to super-strength cider – it entirely fails to seriously address the real challenge at hand.
“In the run-up to the crucial Paris climate talks in December ministers are showing their true colours. Support for nuclear and gas is growing, while help for renewable energy firms, and the thousands of jobs they create, is being slashed.
“Investing in renewables and energy conservation would be far more effective economically, environmentally and in terms of energy security.
We must begin weaning ourselves off gas as quickly as possible.”
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