COMMENTING on news that the Scottish Government has approved the building of a new gas-fired power station at Cockenzie, in East Lothian, [1] WWF Scotland’s head of Policy, Dr Dan Barlow, said:
“We are extremely disappointed at this announcement. By not requiring any carbon capture from the start, this decision risks locking Scotland into decades of unabated climate pollution and jeopardises the government’s firm commitment to decarbonise energy supply by 2030.
“The government’s own energy policy shows that Scotland doesn’t need any new gas or coal to keep the lights on. If this poor decision is later followed by the approval of a new coal-fired power station at Hunterston then Scotland can kiss goodbye to any credibility it currently has globally as a leader in tackling climate change.
“Despite the Government’s claims that it wishes to promote the most efficient use of waste heat in generating electricity this proposal provides no firm commitment to actually recover and use any waste heat. A new fossil-fuelled power plant operating at just over 50 per cent efficiency has absolutely no place in Scotland’s power sector.”
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Scottish Government Press Release
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/10/05131125
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Contact: Lang Banks
Phone: 01350 728200
Website: http://www.wwfscotland.org.uk
