Co-firing Conundrum
Can mixing coal and biomass make power stations cleaner?
What is co-firing?
Co-firing is when a power station burns two different fuels at the same time. In this case, it means mixing coal with biomass.
Biomass can include:
- Wood pellets
- Crops
- Plant waste
- Sewage waste
Instead of shutting coal power stations straight away, some have tried blending in biomass.
Why try it?
Coal is one of the most polluting fossil fuels.
By mixing it with biomass, power stations can:
- Burn less coal
- Reduce some emissions
- Avoid building brand new biomass power plants
- Make use of existing power station buildings
It can also help the UK increase its share of renewable energy.
What are the downsides?
Co-firing isn’t a perfect solution.
Imported biomass
Large amounts of biomass are often shipped from other countries. Transporting it creates emissions.
Still burning coal
Even when mixed, coal is still being used — and it releases harmful gases.
Land use
Growing crops for biomass uses land that could grow food or support wildlife.
A step forward — or a delay?
Supporters say co-firing helps reduce emissions while the energy system changes. Critics argue it slows down the move away from coal. It raises an important question: Is it better to improve old systems — or replace them entirely?
The Bottom Line
Co-firing mixes coal with biomass to reduce the amount of coal being burned. It can lower emissions compared to coal alone — but it’s not fully clean. For some, it’s a transition step. For others, it’s not enough.
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