Consultation outcome

Early phase out of unabated coal generation in Great Britain

• From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 14 December 2020
• Last updated: 30 June 2021 — See all updates

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Early phase out of unabated coal generation in Great Britain: government response

PDF, 574 KB, 20 pages

Detail of outcome

Following the Early Coal Closure consultation, we can now confirm that:

• the commitment to phase-out unabated coal generation in Great Britain will be brought forward to 1 October 2024
• the emissions intensity limit will be implemented at a level of 450gCO2/kWh on unit-by-unit basis
• the 300MWth minimum threshold will not be introduced
• any coal plant complying with the emissions intensity limit by burning biomass will need to calculate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on a net basis, in that emissions from other fuels co-fired with solid fossil fuel are to be included in the calculations for emission intensity. The emissions related to the biomass component should be calculated taking into account the whole life cycle of the fuel
• emergency powers allowing the Secretary of State to suspend or modify the coal phase-out arrangements will not be introduced
• the government will designate an ‘Enforcement Authority’ with the power to verify compliance on an ad hoc basis. The government will allow the designated Enforcement Authority to determine an appropriate reporting frequency
• the government will determine an appropriate legislative vehicle for enacting the policies described in this response. We will consult on any legislation brought forward in relation to this. An updated Impact Assessment will be published alongside this legislation.

Detail of feedback received

In total, 16 responses were received from a wide range of stakeholders, including businesses, trade associations, non-governmental organisations and members of the public. A clear majority of respondents supported the principle of bringing forward the phase-out of unabated coal generation.

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Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on bringing forward the phase out of unabated coal-fired generation in Great Britain to 1 October 2024.

This consultation ran from
12:15am on 14 December 2020 to 11:45pm on 26 February 2021

Consultation description

This consultation seeks views on bringing forward the deadline for phasing out unabated coal-fired generation in Great Britain to 1 October 2024.

This proposal is part of the government’s drive to go further and faster on decarbonising the power sector, as it works towards net zero by 2050. It will also bring the government’s wider unabated coal phase-out policy into line with the date of application of the carbon emissions limits in the Capacity Market.

Subject to stakeholders’ views, and any evidence we receive as part of this consultation, the government anticipates bringing forward draft legislation to implement the proposed phase out date as soon as the legislative timetable allows.

See the BEIS consultation privacy notice.

Please do not send responses by post to the department at the moment as we may not be able to access them.

Documents

Early phase out of unabated coal generation in Great Britain

PDF, 308 KB, 16 pages

Impact assessment

PDF, 437 KB, 25 pages

Published 14 December 2020
Last updated 30 June 2021 + show all updates

1. 30 June 2021

   Government response published.

2. 14 December 2020

   First published.