Support for high-tech coal power
AUSTRALIANS have thrown their support behind hi-tech coal fired power stations as a leading analyst warns it could be decades before batteries to store renewable power were widespread.
The Minerals Council survey of 1300 people showed 68 per cent supported newgeneration coal power through high efficiency, low emissions (HELE) coal-fired generation.
MCA executive director of coal Greg Evans said the goal of Australia’s energy and climate policy framework should be to deliver reliable energy at least cost while meeting emissions reduction objectives.
“Achieving this goal means applying a technology-neutral approach to all energy sources while avoiding subsidies, quotas or other non-marketoriented interventions.
“And on all three deliverables of cost, reliability and emissions, there are good reasons why high-efficiency lowemission coal power should be part of the mix of energy technologies competing to replace retiring baseload power.’’
Mr Evans said a recent study showed HELE black coal was the lowest-cost generation option at $40-$78 a megawatt hour, compared to gas-powered electricity and wind power.