'Part of the family': UK to close last coal-fired power plant | AFP

[@gregorymalchuk272]

The plant needs to be put into strategic generating reserve for when the wind doesn't blow and when domestic politics causes the USA to limit natural gas shipments.

[@keithjohnson7677]

A shame on governments for not looking forward for powering the UK if the wind doesn't plow fools we are to let this happen wake up people.

[@gufpott]

Sorry to be pedantic, but cooling towers don't smoke. The plume is water vapour. And when we talk about those "big spikes", those are the times when electricity will be in short supply. We cannot control wind and solar, and the diminishing nuclear output is not variable, so a big spike at the wrong time will be bad news for homes and industry. There is only so much we can do within the flexibility of the gas network so gas fired power stations will not always be able to just "jump to it". The great thing about coal fired generation is that we can store massive amounts of coal at the power station, which makes it an ideal fall-back for periods of shortage. Like dark cold Winter nights. Better pray for a mild Winter, but a proper cold one is only a matter of luck and time.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

The plant needs to be put in mothballed strategic generating reserve, not demolished.

[@gufpott]

@@gregorymalchuk272 It's a nice idea, but not practical. Safe operation needs a compliment of fully trained staff, it needs all infrastructure to be capable of delivery (not least fuel routes), and it needs the "supply chain" for equipment and services. The UK stopped training people to operate coal-fired power stations years ago, and the last remaining staff compliment is due to retire. The UK doesn't have the skills and experience to operate these machines, it soon will not have access to fuel or equipment. Some operational plant is essential to maintain capability. Once it is gone, it will take many years to build new plant and get all of the above in place - we are probably a good decade away from operational coal-fired generation today (although some capability might still exist at Drax).

[@noelduggan72]

.....Why Are Uk Energy Bills So Expensive Now?

[@whoslistening]

This is good news!

[@aviation_dude3238]

No it’s not

[@aviation_dude3238]

We might need them someday

[@acesius393]

Clean coal technology captures 99% of the carbon when it is burned. Look it up: Ask Chat GPT "According to scientific evidence, what percentage of carbon emissions are captured by clean coal technology."

[@jacobbest5752]

What are some people whinging about it’s a good thing long overdue!

[@AmerBoyo]

Long overdue! Well done all 👏

[@Dr.Steampunk1d]

I hate change.

[@matthewvwuk]

So do I. I think in time to come we will regret this to a measure.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

I hate exploding electricity prices.

[@nicolassTRAVEL]

Brexit benefit

[@bencrook1403]

The opposition to its demolition is unbelievable. You'd have thought the locals would be delighted to see such an obtrusive structure removed, especially given the climate situation.

[@acesius393]

Clean coal technology captures 99% of the carbon when it is burned. Look it up: Ask Chat GPT "According to scientific evidence, what percentage of carbon emissions are captured by clean coal technology."

[@TheMagicJIZZ]

Because it's cool? Do you not want some part of the industry era to survive for preservation? I want it closed but the buildings to remain. It's our eras coliseum or Stonehenge Evidence of our culture