The effect on the environment of electricity privatisation

The UK´s electricity supply industry (ESI) was privatised in 1989 with, it was thought at the time, little, if any, thought being given to its effect on the environment. This paper examines the effect of the Electricity Act on the fuels used in power stations, the gaseous emissions from these stations and the growth of renewable energy sources for electricity generation. It finds that, because of the increase in gas-fired generation, sulphur and carbon dioxide emissions have reduced, as has the quantity of solid wastes produced. The effect of the nonfossil fuel obligation has been to increase and diversify the use of renewable sources for electricity generation