EU-Commissioner Andris Piebalgs announces support for a coal-fired power plant with highest efficiency as an EU „Lighthouse Project“
Andris Piebalgs, within the new commission responsible for energy, has recently stressed the importance of coal for Europe’s future electricity supply. He announced support for a revived clean coal financing under the 7th Framework Programme.
Taking up widespread industry recommendations, he proposed the construction of a "lighthouse" demo plant as a public-private partnership. VGB has pooled these efforts under the Emax-Initiative.
Piebalgs told in his contribution at the EURACOAL Executive Meeting on January 24, 2005 in Brussels:
"My services are now striving to ensure that more attention is given in the 7th RTD framework programme to improving the efficiencies of fossil power plants, alongside the development of renewable energy. Current ideas being developed include a demonstration plant to be co-funded by the industry and I count upon your support to make this installation a real European ‘lighthouse project’. Initiatives such as this need to form the core of any European Clean Coal Partnership."
Along with its members, VGB had sent a corresponding recommendation in December 2004 in a co-ordinated effort to the commission. VGB feels also tail wind for its Emax-project COMTES700, under which the new materials for a 700 degree Celsius power plant will be tested from 2005 onwards.
Click here for the complete text of Mr. Piebalgs speech:
Contact:
Dr. Ludger Mohrbach
VGB PowerTech E.V.
FuE-Koordination
Klinkestraße 27 - 31
45136 Essen
Tel.: +49-(0)2 01-81 28-2 21
Fax: +49-(0)2 01-81 28-3 06
E-Mail: ludger.mohrbach@vgb.org