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New Kingsnorth coal plant delayed New Kingsnorth coal plant delayed
(about 6 hours later)
Controversial plans to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent have been put on hold for up to three years, energy firm E.On has said.Controversial plans to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent have been put on hold for up to three years, energy firm E.On has said.
It said the scheme would be delayed to about 2016 because electricity demand had fallen during the global recession. It said it would be delayed until about 2016 because electricity demand had fallen during the global recession.
The site has been a high-profile target of environmental protests by groups which argue a new plant would increase carbon emissions and climate change. The site has been a high-profile target for environmental protests by groups that argue a new plant would increase carbon emissions and climate change.
Greenpeace said E.On's decision was "good news for the climate".Greenpeace said E.On's decision was "good news for the climate".
The plant, which has yet to receive government permission, would be the UK's first coal-fired power station to be built for 30 years.The plant, which has yet to receive government permission, would be the UK's first coal-fired power station to be built for 30 years.
'Diverse coalition' [It is now] becoming increasingly unlikely that this power station is going to be built Ben Stewart, Anti-Kingsnorth campaigner class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8296096.stm">Peak oil threat is 'significant'
An E.On spokesman said that the economic 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 the economic downturn had "pushed back the need for a new plant in the UK to around 2016 because of the reduction in demand for electricity". "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 said.
The case for coal is now collapsing Kingsnorth campaigner Ben Stewart Peak oil threat is 'significant'
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."
Andy Atkins, executive director of environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth, said the station would have "seriously undermined the UK's credibility on climate change".Andy Atkins, executive director of environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth, 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."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 driven by the downturn, Oxfam's campaigns director Thomas Schultz-Jagow noted that it had come after "thousands of campaigners raised the alarm about this proposal". Despite the insistence of E.On that the decision was driven by the downturn, Oxfam's campaigns director Thomas Schultz-Jagow noted it had come after "thousands of campaigners raised the alarm about this proposal".
'Big setback'
He suggested "the plug has been pulled on this dangerous initiative".He suggested "the plug has been pulled on this dangerous initiative".
Greenpeace executive director John Sauven told the Guardian the announcement was "extremely good news for the climate" and praised the "huge diverse coalition of people who have campaigned against Kingsnorth". Greenpeace campaigner Ben Stewart, one of the so-called Kingsnorth Six who climbed the existing power station in a protest against carbon emissions two years ago, described it as "a really big setback" for E.On and "really good news for the environment".
"As time goes on people get more concerned about climate change, there's more time for renewables to get built and that squeezes out coal," he said.
"[It is now] becoming increasingly unlikely that this power station is going to be built".
E.On wants to replace the current Kingsnorth plant, due to shut in 2015, with two units it says would be 20% cleaner.E.On wants to replace the current Kingsnorth 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.
E.On first applied for permission to build a new plant at Kingsnorth in December 2006.E.On first applied for permission to build a new plant at Kingsnorth in December 2006.
Campaigners acquittedCampaigners acquitted
In October 2007 Greenpeace campaigners shut the existing plant down by chaining themselves to the conveyer belt, leading to the arrests of more than 30 activists.In October 2007 Greenpeace campaigners shut the existing plant down by chaining themselves to the conveyer belt, leading to the arrests of more than 30 activists.
Then in August 2008, an estimated 1,000 demonstrators attended a camp to protest against plans for the new power station.Then in August 2008, an estimated 1,000 demonstrators attended a camp to protest against plans for the new power station.
The policing of the event was later criticised as having been disproportionate and heavy-handed.The policing of the event was later criticised as having been disproportionate and heavy-handed.
In September 2008, six campaigners involved in the original protest went on trial for criminal damage, but all were acquitted.In September 2008, six campaigners involved in the original protest went on trial for criminal damage, but all were acquitted.
Ben Stewart, one of the so-called Kingsnorth Six, told BBC Two's Newsnight: "The case for coal is now collapsing. A government statement has suggested E.On still plans to build the new unit.
"What we see now is it becoming increasingly unlikely that this power station is going to be built."
But a government statement suggested E.On still planned to build the new unit.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change said: "E.On's decision to delay their proposed project is a response to the global economic situation and they remain committed to developing clean coal."The Department of Energy and Climate Change said: "E.On's decision to delay their proposed project is a response to the global economic situation and they remain committed to developing clean coal."