3 Big Questions: Dr Mike Farley

Director of technology policy liaison at Doosan Power Systems

How vital is carbon capture storage (CCS) to the future energy mix of the UK?

“Clearly, if we are to achieve the climate change committee’s 2030 ambition of being “almost completely decarbonised”, all 28GW of existing coal-fired power plants will need to close and/or be replaced by coal or gas with CCS. Around 5GW, four full-size coal power plants with CCS are needed by 2020, followed by around 20GW of coal power plants with CCS by 2030, to be on track.

How realistic do you think our climate change targets are for the power generation sector?

“Current policies are in danger of leading to investment just in intermittent wind and unabated gas and will not meet climate targets. We need a balanced mix of wind, nuclear and coal and gas with CCS. 

What would you like to happen after the general election?

“Greater clarity on funding is needed urgently if the UK wants to achieve government objectives on energy and environment. Industry needs certainty to plan and commit to investments. An early plan is needed for the rollout of CCS beyond the initial demonstrations, including retrofit of CCS to the full capacity of demonstration plants.