Licence to tap rich coal seams under Fife

Published Date: 17 February 2009

THORNTON New Energy was yesterday awarded the UK's first underground coal "gasification" licence by the Coal Authority.
Under the scheme, coal buried beneath Fife will be burned and the resulting gases harnessed for use in power stations, industrial heating or for making hydrogen or "ultra clean" diesel.Thornton New Energy – part of BCG Energy – will use directional drilling techniques from the offshore industry to access the unmined coal buried under Fife and the Firth of Forth.Thornton New Energy said the gas could be processed to remove carbon dioxide.Councillor Tony Martin, chairman of Fife Council's environment, enterprise and transportation committee, said: "We are working with the company to assist the development of its innovative project, which, hopefully, will lead to a long-term source of energy generation from a traditional fuel source."It is hoped the project will create sustainable job opportunities and consequent local economic benefit."