Despite the substantial decline of coal mining in the UK over the
last three decades, until recently, coal was still a vital energy
source for the nation's power stations. During 2013 and 2014, coal
accounted for 36 per cent of all UK rail freight, but that amount
plummeted in 2015 due to the doubling of the top-up carbon tax, a
measure implemented to encourage power stations to use greener
fuels. With the government's phase-out of all coal-fired power
stations by 2025, many have already closed. South Wales is one of
the last places in the UK where coal is still mined and despatched
by rail for domestic consumption. Aberthaw power station was the
principal customer for this coal until 2017, when they turned to
imported coal. This measure was taken to reduce toxic nitrogen
emissions at the plant and was the beginning of the end for the
power station, which finally closed in late 2019. Coal is still
mined in South Wales and is supplied by rail to Tata steel in Port
Talbot, to British Steel's Scunthorpe works, to Breedon cement
works in Derbyshire and to Immingham for export. However, the
future of the industry remains uncertain as we move away from
fossil fuels towards more eco-friendly forms of energy. This book
looks at the last of the coaling operations in South Wales, from
2013 to early 2020, and features over 190 colour images of coal
trains running to and from the mine sites along the scenic South
Wales Valleys and the picturesque stretch of coastline that the
Vale of Glamorgan line takes to Aberthaw.
General
Imprint: |
Key Publishing Ltd
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
June 2020 |
Authors: |
Chris Davies
|
Dimensions: |
243 x 170 x 12mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
128 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-913295-73-8 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
1-913295-73-7 |
Barcode: |
9781913295738 |
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