Coal winning presence in the global matrix by high oil prices
Despite this, in Chile only enter three plants of this type in the next two years.
Coal demand grew 3% in the world in 2013, less than it was advancing in the last decade (3.9%), but more than any other fossil fuel.
Last year, this mineral reached about 30% of global energy consumption, its highest level since 1970 and the growth curve does predict that could exceed oil from now to two years, as showed a the BP Statistical Review’s Study, also recorded by Spain’s Expansion.
This is because the oil, though it remains the main source of energy in the world, is losing weight for fourteen years in the global energy matrix and the 32.9% reached in 2013 is the lowest share since 1965, when began to develop this study. This is mainly due to high prices recorded in recent years.
According to estimates by the International Energy Agency, which coordinates policies in this area of the OECD countries, coal could rival oil as the main source of energy production between 2015 and 2016, and get over the following years.
Alternative in Chile
Coal is after hydro, the cheaper energy. In Chile, the installed capacity was 4,517 MW in 2013, representing 24% of the country. “The Chilean energy matrix must be hydro, coal, gas, Non-Conventional Renewable Energy (NCRE), and oil. In that order, “says Francisco Aguirre Leo, executive director of Electroconsultores. He indicates that the more energy generated from water hinders rather necessary coal blocks, because the solution of the gas is more expensive (about 30% over coal) and, at least in Chile, we cannot use the nuclear energy because there are no regulations, he adds.
María Isabel González, Energy Company’s CEO, calls confined to reality, because our country contributes only 0.2% of global emissions. “Unfortunately, in Chile we have allowed certain prejudices wrong expand. The coal itself can be used cleanly because there are technologies that allow dimensional environmental impacts”, says the executive.
Source: El Mercurio
