European countries coal power "resurrection" energy green transition where to goIssuing time:2023-01-09 17:40 The Russia-Ukraine conflict, extreme weather and a radical energy transition have combined to leave Europe struggling with energy shortages. The winter of 2022 will be a bit cold for the people of Europe. In order to cope with the external energy supply crisis, as well as their own wind and nuclear power shortages, since the second half of 2022, a number of European countries have started to rob Peter to pay Paul by "replacing gas with coal" : Austria, Finland, North Macedonia, Greece, France, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and other countries have announced the extension or reopening of coal power plants closed due to climate problems; Countries such as the Netherlands and Poland have opted to temporarily lift restrictions on coal-fired power generation to ease the supply crunch. The UK even approved the construction of the first deep underground coal mine in more than 30 years, bringing coal back to the UK energy scene for the first time in seven years. The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its annual coal industry market report released in December 2022, analyzed that global coal consumption will grow by 1.2% to a record high of more than 8 billion tons in 2022. While most countries in Europe have commissioned only a limited number of coal-fired power plants, Germany has restarted or delayed decommissioning 10 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity, according to the IEA. In the three months from July 2022 to September 2022, coal power generation in Germany rose 13.3 percent from a year earlier to account for 36.3 percent of total power generation, according to the German statistics office. As of early November 2022, Germany's coal power capacity for winter 2022 has increased by about 6 GW. While European governments say the reactivation of coal-fired power plants is only a transitional measure, a study by a British energy think tank predicts that an additional 13 million tons of coal will be burned as a result. This is tantamount to turning back the clock on climate change for European countries, which have campaigned hard to abandon coal and cut emissions. It can be said that the fundamental reason for the "backwardness" of European energy transformation lies in the defects of its energy security system. The "radical decarbonization" policy in Europe leads to the premature withdrawal of traditional fossil energy, while the high external dependence of traditional fossil energy and the high penetration rate of renewable energy make the unbalanced energy structure and unstable energy supply prominent. The difficulties of energy transition in Europe remind us that although the overall trend of green and low carbon energy transition is irreversible, it will not be smooth and successful overnight. Our country must be based on reality and step by step, actively respond to new challenges in the external environment, plan development and security, and coordinated promote energy low carbon transition and security supply of energy. We will unswervingly follow the path of high quality development that prioritizes ecology and is green and low-carbon, and promote all-round green transformation of economic and social development. First, we should adhere to the principle of "establish before breaking". On the one hand, based on the basic national situation of coal in our country, plan to continue to promote the clean and efficient use of coal, enhance the traditional energy production and supply role, solid energy supply foundation, effectively ensure energy security. On the other hand, we will vigorously develop low-carbon, carbon-free, renewable and sustainable non-fossil energy, consolidate the momentum of the development of renewable energy. such as photovoltaic and wind power, and push forward the construction of a new power system in an orderly manner. Second, we need to improve the green and low-carbon policy system. We will promote the shift from "dual control" of energy consumption to "dual control" of carbon emissions, establish a sound carbon peaking carbon neutral comprehensive evaluation and assessment system, and promote the coordinated development of green electricity trading, green certificate trading, and carbon emission right trading. We will continue to improve fiscal, taxation, investment, financial and pricing policies, and promote the healthy and orderly development of the carbon market. We will advocate a simple, moderate, green, low-carbon, civilized and healthy lifestyle, guide green and low-carbon consumption, encourage green travel, and accelerate the formation of a favorable pattern of public participation. Third, we need to accelerate innovation in green and low-carbon science and technology. We will improve the system for innovation in green and low-carbon technologies, accelerate efforts to tackle key and core technologies, strengthen weak links in the industrial chain, forge new industrial competitive advantages in the process of achieving the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and promote a virtuous cycle of "science and technology, industry and finance". |