UK Faces Power Crunch as Coal Plants Shut Down

Threat of power shortages rising

London at night sparkles with beautiful lighting, from the 11,500 lights that brighten the Edwardian facade of iconic department store Harrods to the 4,000 that illuminate the outline of Albert Bridge, spanning the River Thames. But are these popular tourist attractions—and the rest of the United Kingdom—at risk of going dark?

British authorities have been issuing some dire-sounding warnings. In February, the man then in charge of Ofgem, Britain's industry regulator, warned of an impending "near-crisis" of energy supply, calling the situation "horrendous" and likening it to being on a roller coaster headed "downhill—fast." Deputy Minister Nick Clegg was quoted saying that he was working to "keep the lights on."

Comments

[RightNut]

Let me guess, although Britain was once known for coal, and the North Sea is a major producer of oil for Britain, environmental and global warming regulations are strangling energy producers, and green energy cant make up the difference.

Someone let me know how close I was.

[dantheserene]

"The main reason for the possible crunch: Britain is closing a number of aging coal-fired plants?as well as some oil and nuclear ones?to meet European Union environmental laws."
Also major legislation is pending that will determine government investment in energy and set prices, so no one is building anything until that comes out.