Greenpeace protests against UK coal plant
LONDON, ENGLAND - The environmental campaign group Greenpeace staged protests for climate change at the power station Kingsnorth, where E.ON plans to build one of Britain's first new coal-fired power generators in decades.
Dozens of activists on board nine boats, including Greenpeace's famous Rainbow Warrior, landed at the site in Kent in eastern England, displaying images of climate disasters at the existing plant in an attempt to stop the construction.
"Coal is the most climate-wrecking form of electricity generation yet invented," Ben Stewart from Greenpace was quoted as saying at the site.
"A new Kingsnorth would... destroy any chance we have of persuading China and India to stop building coal plants."
While countries around the world try to slash greenhouse gas emissions to alleviate climate change, developing countries such as China and India are building a new fleet of coal plants.
E.ON, headquartered in Germany, wants to replace its existing 1,940 megawatt coal-fired-plant with what it calls two new cleaner coal units.
Britain's new Energy and Climate Change Minister, Ed Miliband, is expected to decide within the next few months whether to allow the plant.
In restating its position, E.ON said in a statement: "We believe cleaner coal has an important role to play as part of a diverse range of power generation in UK."
Related News
China's nuclear energy on steady development track, say experts
BEIJING - While China has failed to accomplish its 2020 nuclear target of 58 gigawatts under operation and 30 GW under construction, insiders are optimistic about prospects for the nonpolluting energy resource in China over the next five years as the country has stepped up nuclear approvals and construction since 2020.
China expects to record 49 operating nuclear facilities and capacity of more than 51 GW as of the end of 2020. Nuclear power currently makes up around 2.4 percent of the country's total installed energy capacity, said the China Nuclear Energy Association. There are 19 facilities that have received approval…
