Wednesday 23 June 2010

Future is bleak for coal power

Age
Saturday 19/6/2010 Page: 16

SOME Victorian coal-fired power stations are likely to close this decade as gas and wind power expand to make up a quarter of the state's energy generation, according to a government forecast. The Brumby government's future energy statement suggests gas-fired power and wind farms would grow from about 5% of energy generation today to 25% by 2020. New power sources by 2030 should include "low emissions coal," solar and potentially geothermal.

Energy Minister Peter Batchelor said the government's emissions strategy would be outlined in a "landmark" climate change white paper and bill later this year. But he stressed a national carbon price was needed to encourage investment in clean energy Documents leaked to The Age last year indicated the statement would focus on giving coal a future, but the final statement highlights carbon capture and storage as just one of several technologies that could be cost effective in cutting emissions.

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