said that there was a minimum of 20 years worth of coal deposits left on the site.

I guess you could read that two ways .... either we could keep extracting just as fast as before for at least 20 years, or what little is left is so hard to get out it'll take us at least 20 years to do it. I suspect the truth is somewhere in between.

The other side of the coin is that once a mine is shut down (and the pumps switched off and so the mine is flooded and more than likely partly collapsed) it takes a huge investment to get it going again - what are the chances that such an investment could be paid off in such a short time as 20 years? - less than the lifetime of many of the wind turbines already in service, and with less reusable infrastructure and recyclable materials left at the end of it.

   - Andy.

To which I would ask, What is the brink point whereby we NEED to extract the coal or go back to living in caves with candles? Or worse, relying upon a benevolent dictator to sell us the energy we will need in future?

If we do things right, never.  Other countries don't have any coal, but they survive.

If we do things right, never.  Other countries don't have any coal, but they survive.

How do they survive Simon? Which ones and how? Because it looks as if most of Western Europe is kow towing to Putin for his gas. Is this what you mean?

The if we do things right comment from Simon suggests that an answer to the end of fossil fuels is available.

It most certainly is only a Nuclear answer as renewable energy is impossible.

www.thegwpf.org/.../Menton-Energy-Storage-Conundrum.pdf