Over the next few decades global Energy demand will increase significantly. By about 39% over the next 20 years, according to the last data, like the Energy Outlook 2030 presented these last few days by BP.
About 90% of this remarkable growth will concentrate in emerging countries. Furthermore, electricity is the form of energy that will register the highest development rates, with significant changes also in the energy mix.
In such a scenario an essential role is still played by coal, which currently meets almost 30% of the overall global energy consumption. Over the last 10 years about half of the world’s new energy consumption has been met by this inexpensive and largely available source. Moreover, according to forecasts this trend will continue. Indeed, the International Energy Agency (IEA) foresees that coal consumption will still grow by 65% over current levels.
Therefore, it is essential that technologies for the clean use of coal and to reduce CO2 emissions by means of carbon capture and storage (CCS) techniques should be developed and promoted. In particular, these technologies must be promoted in emerging countries, as well as developing ones, where the use of coal is mostly widespread.
Enel is at the forefront in the clean use of coal, as shown by the conversion of the Civitavecchia plant (which entered into service in 2008, and is one of the most efficient in the world) and ongoing CCS activities, including the pilot plant that was put online in Brindisi in March 2011.
Il trasferimento di queste tecnologie, di cui l’importante collaborazione con la Cina è solo un esempio, è una opportunità che Enel intende perseguire con decisione, per favorire lo sviluppo sostenibile nel Sud del mondo e contribuire alla salvaguardia dell’ambiente. Enel is firmly set on transferring these technologies, as shown by the significant partnership with China among many other examples, in order to promote sustainable development in the South of the world and help protect the environment
