The removal of SO2 from coal gas combustion in power plants has become a compulsory process with stricter emission limits in order to preserve the environment and the human health (EC 96/62 Directive, 2000). This article is the first of a series of three devoted to the analyses of the current methods for SO2 removal. These methods are traditionally classified as wet and dry methods. The comparative testing of them is done from the point of view of the energy demand associated with the sorbent regeneration system used for hot coal gas desulfuration. Although it is clear that this energy related comparison could not be applied to the wet methods, they have been included in the study because of their broad industrial implementation. A total of five processes were analyzed. One of the most promising is the well-established Wellman-Lord process, although the Linde-Solinox process also has good advantages, such as no environmental impact, reduced costs and higher simplicity.