• BUSINESS
COAL ’ S BLACK FUTURE
Globally , the future of coal looks bleak in the coming decade , writes Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp .
Coal has powered civilisation since the advent of the Industrial Era , with coal-fired power stations keeping the lights on and people connected in the Modern Era . But the death of coal had been predicted several times in the past – first with the advent of the nuclear age , but the risk of nuclear meant it never gained popularity as a replacement for coal-fired power stations .
Now there is a push to replace all fossil fuels with green and renewable power sources . Most of the equipment required to produce this , however , needs power from traditional power stations in order to be manufactured , offsetting the benefit in the short-term .
A target date has been set for 2050 to eliminate most of the world ’ s fossil fuel-based power generation . The pressure has increased in the past two years to make a decisive move away from coal-fired power stations and other fossil-fuelled power generation systems .
In South Africa , the Minerals Council South Africa is developing a Net Zero 2050 Action Plan and pathway towards achieving the goal of net zero greenhouse-gas ( GHG ) emissions . As a counter it has been suggested to rather focus on absolute zero emissions , rather than a net zero target , and not to pin hopes on unproven technologies such as carbon capture and storage .
It is projected that developing countries will not be able to meet the target of phasing out coal power . An energy paradox may upset plans of phasing out fossil fuels . A combination of the still excessively high cost of green and renewable energies , the increasing cost of natural gas , coupled with the increased demand for power , has resulted in energy crises in all parts of the world .
The US , currently taking some of the most drastic measures to phase out coal as an energy source , is facing a deepening crisis . In Europe , various countries cannot meet the energy demands , and in Germany , power plants have even run out of coal reserves .
Countries from Zimbabwe to Serbia ( that have a pressing energy need and crisis ), will continue to utilise coal to generate electricity . Power supply issues have also forced China to clear thermal coal imports from Australia in October 2021 , following large scale
All images © Leon Louw
20 • African Mining • January 2022 www . africanmining . co . za