October 8, 2021
Future of Coal Energy Industry during Battle for Climate to be Discussed at REW 2021
An expert discussion titled ‘The Future of Coal in a World Shaped by the Climate Agenda: The End, or a New Beginning?’ on coal power industry in the time of transition will be held during the Russian Energy Week International Forum which will take place in Moscow on 13–15 October.
Climatic and environmental aspects are crucial for economic and business operations and have a direct impact on economic performance and business reputation. Coal power generation is under a lot of pressure from the global agenda of society, environmental activists, and population. The future of coal power generation in Russia is still vague, because new restrictions are expected to be imposed on emissions of hard particles, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, and CO2. In 2024, the BAT guidelines will be revised, and new technological parameters of polluting emissions will be based on them; rapid development of climate legislation will eventually result in the fixed price of carbon. In this new shaping energy agenda, gas and other alternative, green energy sources are gradually pushing coal out of fuel mix of power stations. At the same time, prospects of coal-powered energy cannot be only determined by climate protection. However, ongoing improvement of economic and environmental performance of this type of fuel is what is required for it to remain on the market. All this poses much stricter requirements to coal power-generation technology.
“Russian Ministry of Energy supports development of low-carbon energy sources, as it keeps up with global trends. Following the green trend, you should remember to maintain balance between renewable energy and traditional generation in the country’s energy production structure to ensure a reliable energy system. One of the elements of this balance is coal power generation. You should move towards increased efficiency of power generation, reducing the environmental burden and cutting greenhouse emissions,” noted Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Pavel Snikkars.
The participants are going discuss if it is reasonable to plan on keeping the same volumes of coal power generation in Russia up to 2035, if making coal energy greener is cost-effective provided that other types of power generations are developing, what is the future of global coal energy industry, and what are possible ways to make coal energy green in Russia.
Russian Energy Week 2021 is organized by the Russian Ministry of Energy, Roscongress Foundation, and Moscow Government.
