In Italy, coal accounts for 12% of energy needs

In Italy, coal accounts for 12% of energy needs

Celestina Dominelli

After years of growth at 5% per annum, international coal seaborne trade slowed down and stabilised in 2016. But coal continues to be the driving force behind electricity generation with a 40% share worldwide, falling to 2% if you move to Europe The sunset of power plants, in short, is still energy planning, as explained to the Il Sole 24 Ore the President of Assocarboni, Andrea Clavarino, who today, at the conference “Italian Electrical System: Proposals for Planning”, organized downstream of the annual meeting, will provide an updated photograph of the sector. “The energy transition will not be immediate,” stresses the association’s number one, “and it will take longer than planned. Looking ahead, therefore, coal will continue to play a key role, supported mainly by the emerging economies of the south-east of Asia, with no gas, and are looking for an inexpensive source of energy.’