This brief note responds to the Department of Energy & Climate Change consultation on Implementing the Emissions Performance Standard on electricity generation in the UK.
Sandbag continues to believe the EPS, though welcome, does not go far enough to signal the transition to low-carbon power in the UK.
The current EPS:
- fails to include existing coal plant undertaking life extension (publicly paid for in the Capacity Market) through air pollution control equipment;
- grandfathers the 450gCO2/kwh EPS level out to 2044, which is inconsistent with UK commitments in the Climate Change Act. Grandfathering of 10-15 years is more appropriate to lead UK electricity generation towards decarbonisation.