An insightful column in the UK Times yesterday presented a clear-eyed view of the energy and carbon policy challenges facing Europe and the UK. Read the whole thing, and here is its conclusion:

Meanwhile, the UK must make a huge decision. We have promised to shut down seven old coal plants by 2015 because they emit too much sulphur. These can supply 12 gigawatts, or a sixth of UK capacity. Ideally, we would fill the gap with nuclear power, but EDF has made it clear that the first new British nuke won’t be ready until 2017, supplying less than 2 gigawatts.

It is self-evident that we must carry on burning coal for the time being and politicians must stop telling lies about energy. They must begin to set plausible targets, explain their true cost and how they will be achieved. The impact of recession on industrial demand is one reason why the carbon price is weak. The other reason is credibility.