Power plant closures risk Europe’s energy security

摘要

The potential closure of a third of Europe’s coal and natural gasfired power generation capacity is jeopardising the continent’s energy security, as investors shy away from developing fossil fuel-fired plants, according to gas industry body Cedigaz. Cedigaz says 115-120GW of coal and gas-fired capacity is either closing or at risk of closure because of weak profits and the EU large combustion plant directive. Many investors are shying away from developing fossil fuel-fired generation, with market conditions unfavourable and regulations tightening restrictions further, jeopardising Europe’s crucial back-up to intermittent renewable power generation.