WIND & SOLAR | Emits essentially no CO2 across its life cycle. | Has an impact on the landscape. Wind power also emits noise. |
| Has no fuel costs. | Dependent on available wind or sunshine. |
| | Has significant investment costs. |
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BIOMASS | Resources are geographically diversified and political risk is limited. | Supply of larger volumes can be difficult to secure. |
| By using biomass in power production instead of fossil fuels, CO2 emissions are significantly reduced. | Biomass may be more expensive than using energy sources such as coal, gas or nuclear power with operating cost dependant on feedstock contract. |
| Properly managed biomass is carbon neutral over time. | |
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HYDRO POWER | Has almost no emissions that impact the climate or the environment. | Hydro power plants are a significant encroachment on the landscape and impact river ecosystems. |
| Provides large-scale and stable electricity generation. | Constructing a new hydro power plant requires a substantial investment. |
| Functions as balancing power. | |
| Has no fuel costs. | |
| Hydro power plants have a long economic life. | |
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NATURAL GAS | Can be a transition fuel in the conversion to a sustainable energy system. | Emits CO2, though to a lesser extent than the combustion of other fossil fuels. |
| Allows a high degree of flexibility. | Some regions that export natural gas face political instability. |
| Natural gas will become more competitive as CO2 prices rise. | Natural gas is a more expensive energy source than other fossil fuels. |
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NUCLEAR POWER | Emits low levels of CO2 across its life cycle. | The management of high-level waste requires storage in secure facilities for a very long time. |
| Provides stable and large-scale electricity generation. | Construction of a new nuclear power plant requires major investments. |
| Costs for fuel, operation and maintenance are normally relatively low. | security considerations as a possible terrorist target. |
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COAL | Provides stable and large-scale electricity generation. | Coal power plants emit high levels of CO2. |
| Coal power has a competitive production cost. | Technologies to reduce coal power plant CO2 emissions are expensive. |
| Fuel costs are low and coal markets are well-functioning. | Coal mining impacts significantly on the landscape and infrastructure. |