GBritain, the homeland of the Industrial Revolution, is saying goodbye to coal-faster than most other major industrialized countries. Public power generation began in 1892 at the Holborn Viaduct in London. This was the world’s first coal-fired power station, which was almost entirely based on fossil fuels for a long time. Now the British have stopped urgently. Ten years ago, coal-fired power plants accounted for 40% of the total power generation. Now it has dropped to 1.8%.
The Johnson administration has now decided that the last coal-fired power plant will be permanently closed in 2024. Among the industrialized countries, so far only smaller countries such as Belgium, Sweden and Austria have completely abandoned coal. Nearly two-thirds of France’s electricity comes from nuclear power, and coal-fired power stations are no longer needed; according to the coal compromise, Germany will withdraw in 2038. On the other hand, China, India and Indonesia are building hundreds of new coal-fired power plants. So far, there has been no discussion about the global withdrawal from coal.
The wind is very strong, the energy is very big
In the UK, coal elimination is not brought about by the planned economy, but by price signals. Eight years ago, the government imposed a surcharge on EU emissions prices, which rose to 18 pounds (approximately 20 euros). This makes coal-fired power plants unprofitable. To a large extent, gas-fired power plants that emit much less carbon dioxide have taken over the production of electricity; they contribute more than a third to meeting demand.
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Renewable energy has been greatly developed. They met 43% of last year’s electricity demand. In particular, wind turbines (accounting for 24% of electricity generation) are an important factor in large wind farms in the North Sea or the Irish Sea. The second largest renewable energy source (12%) is biomass. The role of the solar system is quite small, only 4%.
The British have made amazing achievements in the expansion of renewable energy. State subsidies were basically eliminated. They rely more on market-based processes, such as auctions when offshore wind farms are awarded to the most efficient and cheapest operators.And the Germans for them Energy transition With the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) paying a high price (EEG subsidies cost consumers 26 billion euros a year, electricity prices are now the highest in the world), the UK can do it cheaper. Consumers only need to pay half of the subsidy, and electricity prices are in central Europe.
Another difference between Germany and the United Kingdom is striking: British politicians did not even consider phasing out nuclear power, but instead saw it as an important part of a stable and low-emission power supply. This is the consensus of the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. The green plays only a marginal role on the island.
No ideological blink
Nuclear power plants currently account for more than 16% of electricity demand. However, 15 active nuclear reactors are already very old—except for Sizewell B—will be off the grid within this decade. In the middle of this decade, a few gigawatts of production capacity were lacking. Only in this way can Hinkley Point C fill the vacancy. This large power station in Somerset alone can meet 7% of the UK’s electricity needs, but the cost is also very high, reaching 22 billion to 23 billion pounds. Sizewell C on the east coast of England is of the same size and is planned to be launched in the next ten years.
Britain’s energy policy is more open to technology than Germany. There is no flash of ideology. The Johnson administration is open to the construction of the smaller Rolls-Royce nuclear reactor. A Canadian company is building a nuclear fusion reactor near Oxford as a pilot project. The demonstration reactor is scheduled to operate in 2025.
Compared to 1990, Britain’s carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by more than 40%—more than Germany. However, the Johnson administration also has the risk of being too ambitious and too ambitious. As early as 2030, internal combustion engines will no longer be allowed to register, and by 2035, hybrid vehicles will no longer be allowed to register. This will be an expensive experiment. Britain hopes to show itself as a model boy before the UN climate summit COP26 in Glasgow. However, if the cost is too high, people’s acceptance may decrease.
