1.200 new coal plants could be built in the next few years. According to the new analysis conducted by the World Resources Institute, the possibility of this happening is concrete
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himCoal to conquer the world. There are nearly 1.200 projects for new coal plants according to the new one analysis conducted by World Resources Institute.
Coal-fired power plants are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and an increase in their number would coincide with an increase in pollution. A truly unsustainable situation also in light of the recent analysis ofWorld Meteorological Organization , according to which in the 2011 saw a new negative greenhouse gas record.
Several months ago, WRI began compiling and analyzing information on proposed new coal-fired power plants in order to assess potential risks to the climate globally. And on November 20, the results regarding the risk assessment were released. Says the research that has been proposed 1.199 new coal plants with a total installed capacity of 1.401.268 megawatt (MW). If all these projects were to go through with the construction and operation of the plants, the energy produced from coal would be four times what is currently produced by all plants of the same type in the United States.
In the last few years, 483 electricity companies have proposed new coal-fired power plants in well 59 countries. Most of these proposals are in development, particularly in China and India. These two countries alone account for 76 percent of the capacity of the new proposals. Even developing countries, where this industry is still limited or absent today, have made similar proposals: among them Cambodia and Senegal. The United States ranks seventh, with 36 plants proposed and a capacity of over 20.000 MW. Luckily, not all of these projects will necessarily be approved and developedhowever research has shown that global interest in coal is growing.
This was also confirmed by a document known last week by the International Energy Agency (IEA) which published its annual World Energy Outlook: According to the IEA coal demand could increase by 21% by 2035.
Fortunately, clean energies are also gaining ground and they are becoming increasingly competitive and easily accessible. Many developing countries have grasped the importance of green energy sources for the long-term sustainability of their development and have already implemented policies aimed at promoting their diffusion.
In this regard, the next decade it will be crucial for developing countries, above all, if they make the right energy choices. "We hope that this working document will inspire discussions on what needs to be done to avoid planetary risks, while ensuring economic growth" concludes il World Resources Institute .
Francesca Mancuso
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