World energy, technology and climate policy outlook report comes in for criticism from coal industry
Assocarboni, an international association representing companies in the coal industry, has called into question the energy scenario depicted in the recently published Commission report on the 'world energy, technology and climate policy outlook' (WETO). Commenting on the report, president of Assocarboni Andrea Clavarino agreed with the estimation that the world's energy consumption will double over the next thirty years. However, he dismisses the report as being partially skewed, particularly in relation to claims that an extended gas supply will satisfy the increasing world energy needs. '[E]ven if the oil reserves are expected to be exhausted, other potential valid solutions should be considered,' explains Mr Clavarino. 'Gas does not represent the best solution because of the producers regional oligopolies.' This is particularly the case for Europe where gas reserves are limited. 'Europeans must know that gas will be mainly imported by only two non-European countries: Russia and Algeria, with two major consequences, an even greater imports dependence and a costly gas price policy,' argues Mr Clavarino. Furthermore, considering the report's prediction of an increase of 1.8 per cent every year in world energy demand, the most suitable solution would be a balanced fuels mix, avoiding dependence from a unique energy resource, suggested Mr Clavarino. 'Coal must be part of this mix for strong reasons: its great availability in more than 110 countries, reserves for more than 270 years and its low-cost price due to the diversified supplying resources,' said Mr Clavarino. He explained that the implementation of the clean-coal technologies would guarantee a more environmentally friendly use of coal, allowing retention of more than 90 per cent of the harmful gas emissions.