Coal is Making a Comeback!

We have already featured the efforts of the country to increase our reliance on renewable energy, particularly talk of the chances of a barrage across the River Severn, and the never ending rise of wind farms. Therefore, it was perhaps a little surprising to learn that the old “bete-noire” of the energy world, coal, has been enjoying a surprising resurgence.

Without doubt coal is the dirtiest and most polluting of all the major fossil fuels, and in this day and age you would think that bad publicity alone would sink its chances of cleaning up its public image. But, no, apart from renewables themselves, coal was the fastest growing energy source showing a six
per cent increase over the last two years. In achieving these figures, it beat both gas and oil.

What is also strange to report is that the advance of coal consumption has been most marked in a part of the world that describes itself as being at the forefront of the cleaner energy campaign, namely Europe.

One of the reasons is that coal is value for money in these recessionary times. Over production has result in an over supply, and consequently the price of coal has dropped quite dramatically. Another factor is that there has been a dramatic increase in the production of shale gas in America that has resulted in a cheaper energy source over there. Excess coal in America is being exported to Europe.

Some fascinating figures have been discovered as a result of market research.

·Coal is responsible for about 40% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions from fuels
·Coal generates almost a half of the total amount of electricity produced in the US
·Coal emits almost a third more carbon dioxide per unit of energy than oil, and 80% more than natural gas
·Coal provides about a quarter of the world's energy needs and it generates almost 40% of the world's electricity
·Almost 70% of total global steel production is also dependent on burning coal.

Interestingly, Germany has just made a decision to discontinue the use of nuclear power stations and build more coal fired stations. This will only increase the demand for coal in the long term.