Only one year left for British coal supplies
IMPORTING LEAVES US VULNERABLE TO POWERFUL EXTERNAL MARKET FORCES
STEVE OATES, CEO, HRA
ADEAL TO secure high-quality coal for the entirety of the heritage movement has been put on hold, following a surge in demand for Russian coal from China.
It comes as the Heritage Railway Association has warned that “unless we find an alternative source of supply, heritage railways will be running on coal dust” after 2022, and urged all heritage organisations to work together to secure a reliable supply of high-quality steam coal once indigenous supplies are exhausted.
As part of those efforts, a potential source has been identified in Russia and a trial load is currently under assessment at the North Yorkshire Moors, Severn Valley, Isle of Wight and Talyllyn railways. Initial reports suggest this coal performs well in a variety of fireboxes, making it a prime candidate to replace indigenous supplies once Ffos-y-Fran surface mine closes next year.
However, China’s self-imposed ban on importing Australian coal created a surge in demand for Russian coal that has put the deal to secure this fuel for the heritage steam movement on hold. HRA CEO Steve Oates told Steam Railway: “We have tried to secure indigenous coal because it is reliable, whereas importing leaves us vulnerable to more powerful market forces. The increase in Chinese demand for Russian coal is an example of how susceptible we are to global changes in price, supply and demand.”
“We cannot wait until the end of 2022 to find a secure and reliable supply for ourselves; we need to be exploring our options now.”
Oates added that negotiations to secure coal from this Russian source were still ongoing.
“We are looking to work with the National Traction Engine Trust, the Heritage Fuel Alliance and others on securing supply, but we all need to work together to make this happen.”