Coal, in 2022 we burned it like there was no tomorrow

The coal consumption reached its all-time high in 2022, surpassing 8 billion tons. A maximum peak which, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) is destined to remain unchanged until 2025the date on which, finally, the curve will begin a descend. The energy crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the effects of climate crisiswith heat waves and extraordinary droughts that have increased the demand for electricity.

The report is the news coal 2022 of the IEA, in which the Agency demonstrated an increase in global coal consumption of 1.2% compared to 2021, with which surpassed the all-time record set in 2013. Despite these less than encouraging data, the document points out that the same factors that have increased consumption have also reduced the possibility of even worse outcomes.

Renewables will be the first source of electricity in 2025

And in the next 5 years, according to estimates by the International Energy Agency, renewables will produce as much energy as they have produced in the last 20. Thus overtaking coal

Indeed, even greater growth was held back by thesoaring prices of coal, due to the increase in demand caused by it energy crisisas well as the rush of various countries to improve theenergy efficiency and the strong diffusion of renewable, as a reaction to the Russian gas cut. At the same time, another factor has contributed to limiting the use of coal in the country which contributes to the 53% of global consumption: the prolonged and severe Covid-19 containment measures in Chinawhich weighed on economic activities, leading to a reduction in overall demand.

Furthermore, according to the Agency’s forecasts, the general picture is heading towards apositive horizon. Indeed, if the demand for coal is soaring in European Uniondue to the energy crisis due to the dependence on Russian gas and the lower production of nuclear and hydroelectric energy, these major consumptions will only be temporary and will soon be replaced by energy produced from sources renewable.

In addition, China, India and Indonesia, i the world’s largest coal producershave reached their record levels of exports, but despite huge profit margins, there are no signs of growth investments in projects aimed abroad. Finally, the IEA confirmed that 2022 is the year of maximum coal peak, after which the situation will stabilize until 2025at which time the Agency expects that consumption will begin to drop rapidly.