Coal firm's bid to produce energy from under estuary
A COMPANY wants to investigate whether coal under the Loughor Estuary can be "gasified" to produce energy.
Cluff Coal has applied to the Coal Authority, which owns the UK's coal seams, for a conditional underground coal gasification licence.
It's still very early days, and the Coal Authority is waiting for more information from the London-registered company before determining the application.
If it awarded Cluff Coal a conditional licence, the company would have to satisfy local authorities and the Environment Agency, among others, of its plans before being able to test drill.
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A Cluff Coal spokesman said: "The Government is keen to look at all sorts of different technologies to produce gas. We think underground coal gasification is something that can be progressed."
Cluff Coal has applied for 18 licences in different parts of the UK. Underground coal gasification, said the spokesman, had been demonstrated on a commercial basis in the US.
"The environmental checks are incredibly stringent," he said. "We have no intention to have an (adverse) effect on the local community or environment.
"Our application for the conditional licence is because we believe there is an opportunity there."
The estuary is a sensitive environmental site and forms part of the Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries European Marine Site, designated under the European Union's Habitats and Birds Directives.
John Childs, of Swansea Friends of the Earth, said he had concerns about underground coal gasification, which has also been touted for Swansea Bay.
"It is a very experimental technique," he said.
"As far as I know, the ones here in Swansea Bay and the Loughor Estuary are the only ones to be considered for under the sea."
richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk
Comments
by Einon
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 8:57PM
“@Siarad2
You refer to wind energy, when this story is about gas. Many of the companies that are busily exploIting our resource were set up or supported by their respective independent governments.
Denmark and wind is a case in point - the Danish Government has been supporting the development of wind energy companies since the 1980s. This includes the development of an indigenous skills base.
This also includes the right combination of regulatory incentives, including taxation and the ability to set tariffs on selected imported products. The Welsh Government doesn't have those kind of powers. And only Independent states with strong protectionist policies are able to set tariffs - as long as they are able to get round rules on international trade that are arbited by the WTO.
Some of the most successful energy companies in the world today are state-owned and sponsored enterprises. You have to have the right framework, and in the UK political interests are geared towards the needs of finance capital and speculation (based in the City of London) rather than genuine investment in indigenous industry.”
by siarad2
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 7:30PM
“@Neathboy234
It's not me but other posters thinking that way to which I reference.”
by Neathboy234
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 6:59PM
“siarad2 You shouldnt think of things in terms of Welsh or British anymore, we live in a global economy. It was the brainchild of Maggie and Ronnie back in the 80's, probably their best achievement”
by siarad2
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 6:53PM
“So why didn't a Welsh company think of this.
Why are Irish, Danish, Dutch etc companies draining our wind profits.
The list goes on.
You can't sit back & blame it all on 'London' get out & DO”
by Neathboy234
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 2:01PM
“Einon you'r dead right, nothing has changed. what's more if it all goes wrong it wouldn't be the good people of London who will suffer but us locals. no way should this be allowed to go ahead”
by Einon
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 1:36PM
“So there we have it, a London company proposes to extract our gas. It will be given permission by a London Government, and the profits will go to...London.
Nothing has changed in this country in 200 years. They are going to destroy our green spaces for profit, and we will be left to clean up the mess. It's "Rape of the Fair Country Mark 2" and why we need to get our Independence.
It's just a pity that the Greens down here are Unionists - more interested in the Environment than the civil rights of Welsh people - whereas up in Scotland their are supporting Scottish Independence.”
by Stork
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 11:48AM
“Is this "fracking" ?”