Directive could cause plant closure

Recent amendments by MEPs to the draft EU Industrial Emissions Directive mean that power plants will need to undergo costly upgrades to comply with air-pollution targets or close by 2016.

The business group says that could lead to a quarter of the UK’s electricity-generating capacity - up to 14 plants - being forced to close early.

The CBI is calling for power plants to be given until 2021 to prepare for the proposed changes, which will allow other low-carbon forms of energy to be built to replace the lost capacity and ensure a smooth transition.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director general, said: ’Businesses want to help cut air pollution, but this directive must be implemented in a way that doesn’t undermine the UK’s energy security.

’The timescales currently proposed by some MEPs are unrealistic and could lead to up to 14 UK power plants having to shut prematurely. Given that these plants are old and due to close in the 2020s, letting them run their course would allow for a smooth transition to new low-carbon energy sources and avoid creating a serious energy gap.