Page 9 - AsiaElec Week 39 2021
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AsiaElec COMMENTARY AsiaElec
would then be able to reach net-zero CO2 emis- green think-tank E3G found.
sions before 2055. Coal-fired power has recently been a key
In this ATS, renewables-based generation, issue for climate change, with the International
mainly wind and solar PV, could increase sev- Energy Agency (IEA) in May calling for no new
en-fold between 2020 and 2060, accounting for coal power as the first major step if the world is to
almost 80% of generation by then. By contrast, meet the goal of net emissions by 2050.
the share of coal would drop from over 60% to Coal currently accounts for 68% of the coun-
just 5%, and unabated coal-based generation try’s electricity, and China was responsible for
stops in 2050. 90% of the world’s increase in electricity demand
In the APS, industrial CO2 emissions would and 43% of the world’s growth in wind and solar
decline by nearly 95% and unabated coal use by during this period.
around 90% by 2060, compared to today. The IEA’s June roadmap for the global energy
In terms of technology, these industrial emis- sector called for the immediate end to new
sions reductions would be driven by energy effi- investment in all fossil fuel supply projects, and
ciency improvements and electrification in the no further final investment decisions (FIDs) for
short term, while emerging innovative technolo- new unabated coal plants.
gies, such as hydrogen and carbon capture, utili- As such, the dynamics of coal consumption
sation and storage (CCUS), take over post-2030. in China are still on an upward trajectory. If Bei-
jing is to meet the targets and challenges of the
Rapid and profound IEA report, then it must call a halt to coal expan-
The IEA has called for a rapid and profound sion and direct investment and policy priorities
transformation in China’s energy sector if these in the directions indicated by the IEA.
targets and milestones are to become reality. The IEA’s report was drawn up at the invita-
China alone is home to almost 53% of coal tion of the Chinese government, and it is now up
capacity under construction and 55% of the to Beijing to take heed of the advice it has asked
pre-construction pipeline, recent research by for.
Week 39 29•September•2022 www. NEWSBASE .com P9
