DOOSAN BABCOCK CALLS ON UK GOVERNMENT FOR A MORE AMBITIOUS CARBON CAPTURE & STORAGE PROGRAMME

• Senior energy industry figures met in Westminster last night to debate the DECC ‘Framework for the development of clean coal: consultation document’
• Urgent action is needed by Government to ensure CCS objectives are met

22nd September 2009, London

Today, Doosan Babcock launches their response to the DECC consultation on the development of clean coal following a meeting of key energy industry representatives at the Institute of Chemical Engineers last night.  The response calls for action to enable Carbon Capture and storage (CCS) to be introduced more rapidly than the proposed timeline, and for a more extensive demonstration programme to be put in place. 

Unless the current policy details are changed there is a risk that the DECC proposals will fail to meet objectives and no new coal-fired power plants or CCS demonstrations will be built.  Doosan Babcock believes that clean coal will be: 
less expensive than other low Carbon options
much cleaner and more secure than unabated gas-fired power,
more reliable and less expensive than intermittent wind
more relevant to global needs.

Doosan Babcock proposes a “Middle Way” which should satisfy both electricity companies and NGOs while delivering all four government objectives, plus a large contribution to carbon dioxide reductions by 2020.  A ‘Middle Way’ approach would include a commitment by Government to at least four clean coal projects (not just up to four) covering at least three capture technologies and two or three options for storage in time to announce this in the run up to the Copenhagen negotiations.

Iain Miller, CEO, Doosan Babcock Energy Ltd., said, ‘A more ambitious programme of demonstrations funded by a contract for difference levy scheme could provide almost 5GW of CCS capacity by 2020. This would generate reliable, low carbon electricity at an acceptable cost.  The 'Middle Way' is central to achieving the objectives set out in the DECC Consultation and urgent action is needed to ensure plans for CCS in the UK remain on track.”

About Doosan Babcock

Doosan Babcock designs, supplies and constructs advanced steam generation technology for the power industry. We develop some of the cleanest, most efficient coal-powered plant in the world. Doosan Babcock is also a leading energy services company operating in the thermal power, nuclear, oil & gas and petrochemical industries. Through our innovation we support and enhance the service life of energy assets across the world. With global headquarters in the UK, Doosan Babcock employs around 5,000 personnel.

Contact

Corporate Communications
Doosan Babcock
Tel: +44(0)1293 584887
E-mail: pressenquiries@doosanbabcock.com

Katharina Lindemann
Hill & Knowlton
Tel:+44 (0) 20 7413 3092
E-mail: Katharina.Lindemann@hillandknowlton.com