Clean coal rebutted as sustainable: Climate Council

Renewables boom will be slowed by NEG says Climate Council ahead of 10 August COAG meeting.

In a report released by the Climate Council the merits of clean coal have been debunked, this coming in the wake of the recent release of the long anticipated Finkel Review.

The report breaks down what clean coal is, the over reliance and continued reliance of the energy form and the damage it is doing from both an environmental and health standpoint.

In its recommendations renewable energy is pointed to as the way forward to help limit the effects of global warming and the creation of CO2.

One of the documents most powerful points is coal power does not fit within the Finkel reports guidelines despite the Federal government backing it.

What points does the report dispel?

The report breaks down into 6 main areas in order to explain what clean coal is and how it compares to traditional coal mining. Shockingly “clean coal” still produces 80% of the emissions that traditional coal does.

Worse still are the alleged health issues that coal produces for the Australian economy and its people. The report cites The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (2009) publication which estimates coal’s health impacts cost taxpayers $2.6 billion every year.

Clean Coal
Image: Pixabay

The report goes on to question the reliability of many coal infrastructures which cannot currently cope with the change in climate and worsening Australian weather conditions. By adopting newer technology and energy sources a modernization can occur to help future proof our energy sources.

Hitting the hip pocket nerve

One of the other ways the report goes into detail as to why coal should be dropped is a very important financial reason; it costs too much.

As the report states,

“Bloomberg New Energy Finance (2017) finds the cost of new high-efficiency coal plants would range from $134 – 203/MWh[Megawatt hour], compared to wind ($61-118/MWh) and solar($78-140/MWh).”

“The cost of coal with CCS [carbon capture and storage] would be even higher, at around$352/MWh. The cost of new coal power is nearly three times the wholesale cost of electricity recorded last year.”

To summarize the report then mentions that to continue using coal would be bucking a global trend away from fossil fuels and renewable energy including wind and solar are the way forward.

Get a quick solar quote, or contact us today toll free on 1800 EMATTERS or email our friendly team for expert, obligation-free advice!

Other Energy Matters news services: