Experts say that the first great energy revolution was coal. Later, oil would arrive, with its political ups and downs to turn the world upside down. international markets, and now they claim that the future belongs to renewable energy.
The world has largely grown tired of coal. In addition to being one of the most polluting sources of energy, it is no longer as economically viable as it once was. Here are the main reasons why coal use has declined. In 2016, the coal production fell to levels not seen in the past 100 years.
According to BP Statistical Review 2017, coal production fell by 6,2% to 231 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), the largest drop on record. This decline was driven by a 7,9% decline in China, the largest consumer, and a 19% decline in the United States. Both countries, which have historically led coal production and consumption, experienced a significant and record contraction.
This downward trend is not exclusive to the major powers. In Spain, for example, coal production has fallen dramatically, reaching just 0,7 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2016, 43,3% less than in 2015. The contrast is clear when compared to the previous decade, when Spain produced more than 6 Mtoe, mainly in Asturias.
The decline in global coal consumption
El global coal consumption has also been in decline. According to records, there was a decrease of 53 Mtoe, a drop of 1,7% from the previous year. This continued decline in consumption is a direct result of the transition to cleaner and more efficient energy sources. Countries such as the United States and China led this reduction with declines of 33 Mtoe and 26 Mtoe respectively.
In the United Kingdom, coal consumption plummeted by more than half, reaching its lowest level in more than 100 years. In this context, the coal share on global primary energy consumption fell to 28,1%, a percentage not seen since 2004.
Impact on CO2 emissions
However, despite the marked reduction in coal use, global CO2 emissions have not shown a proportional decline. The planet continued to emit almost the same amount of CO2 in 2016 as in the previous year. During the period 2014-2016, the average growth in emissions was the lowest since that recorded between 1981 and 1983, suggesting that the transition to cleaner energy is beginning to have an impact, although not yet enough to reverse the effects of climate change.
Oil continues to dominate the energy sector
Despite efforts to reduce emissions and diversify energy sources, oil remains, as it has been for decades, the most important source of energy in the world. Although its consumption has stabilised, it remains a major player in the global energy market.
El gas natural, on the other hand, has shown considerable growth in countries such as Russia and Europe, where demand has grown by more than 7% in some cases. Europe has been looking for alternatives to coal, and natural gas has emerged as a key source of energy.
The push for renewable energy
Fortunately, the most progress has been made in renewable energy. Growth of 14% worldwide, excluding hydropower, shows that clean energy is gaining ground. This progress has been made possible by cost reduction, technological improvement and a favourable regulatory framework in many regions.
China continues to lead the production of renewable energy, especially in wind and solar energy, reflecting its strong commitment to the energy transition. In comparison, the United States has also increased its investment in renewables, although at a slower pace.
With regards to nuclear energy, growth has been moderate, up 1,3% in 2016. China has led this growth with an increase of 24,5%, while elsewhere in the world nuclear power continues to face public opposition.
The future of hydroelectric power
The generation of hydroelectric power showed a 2,8% increase in 2016, a rate higher than that of coal and other traditional sources. China and the United States saw the largest increases in hydroelectric production, while countries such as Venezuela saw a significant drop due to political and climatic conditions.
Countries like Guatemala stand out for their generation model based almost exclusively on renewable energy, where hydroelectric power plays a key role. In times of drought, the country turns to other renewable sources, such as solar and wind, instead of returning to coal or natural gas.
The transition to a cleaner energy model is clearly underway, but the pace is still insufficient to meet the climate goals set by international agreements such as the Paris Agreement. Renewable energy has the capacity to transform the global energy landscape, but a greater commitment is needed from governments and companies to accelerate this process.
Reducing coal use is essential not only to reduce CO2 emissions, but also to ensure a sustainable energy future. Investing in clean energy is not only more economically and environmentally viable, but is also the only way to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect future generations.