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EDF Energy emitted 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2012, an increase of 39 per cent on 2011 levels, according to its latest sustainability report.
The hike was driven by burning more coal, pushing up the emissions intensity from generation 21 per cent to 251.7tonnes/GWh. That put the company behind its target to reduce carbon intensity of power generation by 60 per cent by 2020 from a 2006 baseline of 813tonnes/GWh.
EDF Energy also missed a target to cut emissions from its commercial buildings by 30 per cent by 2012, achieving a cut of just over 5 per cent.
The French-owned company said it would continue to burn run its coal power stations until “new forms of low carbon energy are available to meet the UK’s energy needs”. It is negotiating with government over a deal that would secure the steady revenue needed to build a new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point.
Chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said 7-year extensions to the life of Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B nuclear power stations, announced in December 2012, had saved around 130Mt of carbon dioxide to date compared to fossil fuel generation.
He also highlighted the company had supplied the Olympic Park with 100 per cent low carbon electricity and its sustainable schools programme, The Pod, reached more than 9.3 million children across the UK.
De Rivaz said: “Sustainability is embedded in our outlook, our strategy, and our leadership. There is no question of being blown off course.”
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