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E.On delays new coal-fired plant E.On delays new coal-fired plant
(8 minutes later)
Controversial plans to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent have been put on hold, energy company E.On has said.Controversial plans to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent have been put on hold, energy company E.On has said.
It said it would delay the scheme for up to three years to about 2016 because of a fall in electricity demand.It said it would delay the scheme for up to three years to about 2016 because of a fall in electricity demand.
The site has been a high-profile target for environmental protesters who say a new plant would increase carbon emissions and climate change.The site has been a high-profile target for environmental protesters who say a new plant would increase carbon emissions and climate change.
The company insisted its decision was "based on the global recession".The company insisted its decision was "based on the global recession".
'Diverse coalition''Diverse coalition'
An E.On spokesman said that the downturn had "pushed back the need for a new plant in the UK to around 2016 because of the reduction in demand for electricity".An E.On spokesman said that the downturn had "pushed back the need for a new plant in the UK to around 2016 because of the reduction in demand for electricity".
Thousands of campaigners raised the alarm about this proposal and thankfully the plug has been pulled Thomas Schultz-JagowOxfamThousands of campaigners raised the alarm about this proposal and thankfully the plug has been pulled Thomas Schultz-JagowOxfam
He added: "As a group, we remain committed to the development of cleaner coal and carbon capture and storage (CCS), which we believe have a key role to play alongside renewables, gas and nuclear, in tackling the global threat of climate change while ensuring affordability and security of energy supplies."He added: "As a group, we remain committed to the development of cleaner coal and carbon capture and storage (CCS), which we believe have a key role to play alongside renewables, gas and nuclear, in tackling the global threat of climate change while ensuring affordability and security of energy supplies."
But Oxfam's campaigns director Thomas Schultz-Jagow noted that the decision had come after "thousands of campaigners raised the alarm about this proposal and thankfully the plug has been pulled on this dangerous initiative". Friends of the Earth's executive director Andy Atkins said the station would have "seriously undermined the UK's credibility on climate change".
He added: "The government must now show real leadership and say no to all new coal plants which aren't fitted with 100% carbon capture and storage from day one."
Despite the insistence of E.On that the decision was purely financial, Oxfam's campaigns director Thomas Schultz-Jagow noted that the decision had come after "thousands of campaigners raised the alarm about this proposal and thankfully the plug has been pulled on this dangerous initiative".
Greenpeace executive director John Sauven told the Guardian that the announcement was "extremely good news for the climate", praising the "huge diverse coalition of people who have campaigned against Kingsnorth".Greenpeace executive director John Sauven told the Guardian that the announcement was "extremely good news for the climate", praising the "huge diverse coalition of people who have campaigned against Kingsnorth".
The plant, which has yet to receive government permission, would be the UK's first coal power station to be built for 30 years.The plant, which has yet to receive government permission, would be the UK's first coal power station to be built for 30 years.
E.On wants to replace the current plant, due to shut in 2015, with two units it says would be 20% cleaner.E.On wants to replace the current plant, due to shut in 2015, with two units it says would be 20% cleaner.
But campaigners say coal should not be part of the UK's energy future and want money spent on green technologies.But campaigners say coal should not be part of the UK's energy future and want money spent on green technologies.
An estimated 1,000 demonstrators attended a camp to protest against plans for the new power station in August. An estimated 1,000 demonstrators attended a camp to protest against plans for the new power station in August 2008.
The policing of the event was later criticised as disproportionate and heavy-handed.The policing of the event was later criticised as disproportionate and heavy-handed.