Abstract
INTRODUCTION The role of coal in the primary energy mix in the UK has fallen dramatically since 1990, from 33 per cent in 1990 to only 14 per cent in 1996. The big winners have been oil and gas. Coal has largely been replaced by gas in the power generation market as a consequence of the dash for gas. Indeed many people fail to grasp the importance of the coal industry. In 1997 UK coal production amounted to 46 Million Tonnes with two thirds from deep mines with the remainder from opencast sources. During 1997 the new Labour Government recognised the importance of an energy policy based upon security, sustainability and diversity of supply and announced a number of reviews including the Energy Review of Fuel Sources for Power Generation and the Electricity Trading Review. I should like to set out the very strong case that can be made for coal in meeting those essential policy objectives.
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