Coal

Coal is currently the world's dominant energy source. It is responsible for 2/3 of the world's total electricity generation. The corresponding figure in Europe is around 30 percent (EU - 27 countries).

Like nuclear power, coal is necessary to cover Europe's base load needs. Base load refers to the fundamental demand for electricity and heat that exists irrespective of all load fluctuations. Energy systems vary a great deal in different countries, and a country's energy mix depends on several factors such as natural conditions and society’s trust in the respective energy sources. Coal will continue to play an important role for Europe's energy system in the foreseeable future.

Combusting coal causes carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, which contributes to the greenhouse gas effect and global warming. Climate change is one of the largest environmental challenges of our time, and we need to significantly reduce the amounts of carbon dioxide emitted over the next century. Alternative and renewable sources of energy are being developed but need more time before they can be commercialised and used in large-scale energy generation. Fossil fuels such as coal will be needed during the transition period, which is why Vattenfall is developing the Carbon Capture and Storage technology (CCS). CCS can support the transition to a low CO₂ energy system in the near future.

Vattenfall initiated a project on CCS in 2001. The goal of the project is to develop commercial concepts for CCS at power plants between 2015 and 2020. Until CCS is complete, Vattenfall will continue working on different projects aimed at making our existing plants more efficient to thus reduce carbon dioxide emissions

Main advantages

• Stable base load power
• Low fuel cost
• Good fuel availability from politically stable regions, well functioning market

Main disadvantages

• Environmental impact of coal mining and coal combustion must be handled
• CCS technology not yet ready for commercialisation

Vattenfall considers coal-based power to be affordable and competitive, and its availability is a major advantage. Other alternative fossil energy sources, such as gas or oil, have more limited reserves and are more influenced by the political situation in the world. The main challenge is to make the use of coal as efficient as possible and radically reduce CO₂ emissions by developing new technology.