The Importance of coal
Coal production in the UK has been dramatically decreasing since the 1970s resulting in a reliance on imported coal.
The annual demand for electricity in the UK is expected to consolidate and increase on the 2009 demand level with coal playing a major role in generating the country's electricity supply. Coal-fired power stations provide a reliable and consistent energy source, the coal fired generation fleet provide a reliable base load source of electricity peaking at circa 50% of UK electricity supply during the winter demand period.
Security of supply is becoming a very important issue for UK power stations, particularly given the reliance on imported natural gas and coal.
For all these reasons, coal from Scotland will be a critical energy source for years to come.
