UK coal stands ready to face the 21st century challenge

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · World Coal; (United States)

OSTI ID:5293331

Ezra, S D

Increased investment, successful exploration, expanded mining and coal utilization research programmes and improved international and industrial relations augur well for the future. Coal now provides about 40 percent of the nation's energy needs. Technically recoverable reserves of coal are substantial; they amount to about 45 billion tons--sufficient for at least 300 years at present rates of consumption. The Government, recognizing that coal should form the backbone of future energy policy, endorsed in 1974 the industry's bold 10-year Plan for Coal. This is based on doubling the previous decade's capital investment in coal to about 3,500,000,000 pounds (at present prices) over the period to 1985 in order to increase coal output to meet a forecast demand of up to 150,000,000 tons a year--more than 20 percent above the present level of demand. In view of the long lead times involved in coal developments we have already projected our thinking beyond 1985. Plan 2000, the logical extension of Plan for Coal, is the blueprint for the coal industry of the 21st century. It envisages the expenditure of over 400,000,000 pounds a year between 1985 and 2000 to expand capacity still further to meet an annual demand of about 170,000,000 tons by the end of this century.

• OSTI ID: 5293331
• Journal Information: World Coal; (United States), Journal Name: World Coal; (United States) Vol. 3:11; ISSN WOCOD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
COAL MINING
COAL RESERVES
EUROPE
EXPLORATION
FINANCING
MINING
PLANNING
RESERVES
UNITED KINGDOM