World Resource Institute: 1.4 Million Megawatts of Coal-Fired Power Proposed Globally

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--World Resource Institute (WRI, Washington D.C.) research shows that 1,199 new coal-fired power plants with a total installed capacity of 1.4 million megawatts (MW) are being proposed globally. If all of these projects are built, it would add new coal-fired capacity that is almost four times the capacity of all coal-fired plants in the U.S.

The WRI analysis, titled "Global Coal Risk Assessment," finds that 483 power companies have proposed new coal-fired plants across 59 countries, and most of the proposed plants are in developing nations, with the majority in China and India. These two countries account for 76% of the proposed new coal power capacity. New coal-fired plants also are proposed in some developing countries, where there is currently limited or no domestic coal production, such as Cambodia and Senegal.

The U.S. ranks seventh with 36 proposed coal-fired plants that have a total capacity of more than 20,000 MW.

Not necessarily all of the projects listed will be approved and developed; the report only looks at proposed plants. However, according to the WRI, this research shows a significant and troubling interest in coal development globally.

Energy is a universal need, and new energy development is critical in the developing world order to lift people out of poverty and empower them to enjoy a higher quality of life. However, the choice of energy sources is a tough one, as developing countries must seek low-cost options. Coal-fired plants are often considered such an option, even though strong evidence of coal's toll on the climate, environment and human health suggests otherwise, reports WRI.

The report says that China created an economic miracle by relying on coal as its primary energy source. However, China has been paying a huge price for its coal dependence in the form of increasing public health concerns, deteriorating ecosystems, poor air quality, more carbon pollution and growing social tensions. While the Chinese government announced a target to cap coal consumption at 3.9 billion tons by 2015 and introduced ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy policies, the country still has a long way to go to wean itself off coal.

The report quotes the International Energy Agency's (IEA) "World Energy Outlook," which found that coal demand could increase 21% by 2035. The IEA points out that the future of coal depends largely on policy decisions and the price of other energy sources, including natural gas.

Despite the downside, the report acknowledges that cleaner energy technologies are becoming increasingly accessible and competitive, and many developing companies have understood the importance of cleaner energy sources.

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