UK develops coal phase-out plan

The UK has been pondering the best course of action to close coal-fired power plants by 2025 and pose no threat to safe, reliable and affordable energy supplies. The orderly transition consultation will begin on Wednesday.

Wholesale market conditions in the UK have led to numerous closures of coal-fired generator plants this year, fueling concerns over the safety of supplying coal this winter.

In August, the output of coal-fired power plants reached a record low of 0.51 TWh. The number of coal-fired power plants fell to eight in 2016 with a total capacity of 13.9 GW, up from 17 in 2012.

Against the backdrop of these conditions, all coal-fired power plants are projected to be closed by 2022, well ahead of the deadline. The plan to phase out coal in the energy mix was first announced by the UK government in November last year.

Thus, during the consultation, possible approaches to shutting down coal-fired power plants by 2025 will be considered in order to ensure the security of the energy supply.