E.ON, the energy company behind plans for a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth near Hoo, has announced the plant will be fitted with clean coal technology if it is given the go-ahead.

The announcement comes after Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, revealed an ambitious plan to kick-start research into clean coal by giving up to four new power stations the chance to trial carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.

It follows a promise from the Chancellor as part of the budget, that coal must continue to play a role in the UK’s energy mix.

Mr Miliband has already delayed the decision on Kingsnorth, which if built will be the first new coal power station in the UK for 34 years, to hold a consultation into coal policy. Now Mr Miliband has announced a new consultation, to work out how to best capture carbon emissions.

Mr Miliband did not give backing in the Commons to any of the proposed locations for new power stations but he has said the Thames Estuary would be an ideal location for a new plant.

E.ON has responded to the announcement by making a commitment to fit the pioneering technology to the proposed units at Kingsnorth, if the plant gains approval.

Dr Paul Golby, chief Executive of E.ON UK, said: "This is a vital step by the government that recognises the critical role that CCS will play in decarbonising the UK.

“That is why E.ON is committing to fit capture technology to Kingsnorth in accordance with the government’s proposed conditions, as long as it is properly funded.”

E.ON believes the best way forward for the development of CCS would be to link a number of fossil-fired power stations and other industrial sites to a single carbon transportation system.

E.ON started work last month to identify potential routes to connect Kingsnorth to the proposed pipeline system that would carry captured carbon emmissions to the North Sea.

Dr Golby added: “The government has clearly realised we're at a tipping point with energy policy - if the energy industry and the government get it wrong we face power cuts and irreversible climate change. If we get it right then we can look forward to a secure, low carbon energy future for the UK.”

During the forthcoming consultation process, E.ON has said it will seek further clarity on issues such as the conditions themselves and funding to fit CCS.

CCS technology remains so far unproven and green campaigners fear a new generation of polluting plants will get the go-ahead but the carbon storage equipment will never be installed.

Emily Highmore, spokesman for E.ON UK added: “We have been working on the development of carbon capture and storage as a company for many years now, and we believe it’s something that’s absolutely critical if we are going to tackle the global threat of climate change - quite simply without CCS it really is game over.

"We believe that it can work and it will work and it’s something we are very much committed to.”