"Nothing in modern life so raises the standard of living of high and low income groups as the use of electricity." New York Times, 1930
Coal produces 41% of the world's electricity -- reliably, affordably and securely. Coal has been the most rapidly growing fuel for the past decade and its continuing cornerstone position is shown by the fact that clean coal technologies are being deployed all over the world. More than 430,000 megawatts of advanced coal power plants are operating or under construction. These technologically sophisticated plants will lead to more power and significantly fewer emissions as the world strives to attain climate policy goals. New coal power plant technologies reduce the CO2 emissions rate by as much as 40% over older units.
Meanwhile, the demand for electricity continues apace and coal steadily helps fill the gap for billions. China, for example, has 1.3 billion people but only 2% of the world's natural gas. India has 1.1 billion people and only 1% of the world's gas. Yet, these two most populated nations have 20% of the world's coal -- as well as access to extensive reserves in both Australia and the Powder River Basin in America. It is no wonder that coal is the mainstay fuel for a steadily growing number of people:
The Ever Increasing Ranks of People Who Rely on Coal
By 2035, more people will depend upon coal for 40% of their electricity than existed in 1976
For many of these women, children and men, the electricity from coal is the pathway out of a short and brutal life. At least 2,000 million people lack adequate access to power and 1,400 million have no electricity at all. Such electricity deprivation forces these vast multitudes to toil "from can't see to can't see". Over 2,600 million people -- eight times the population of the United States -- live on less than $2 per day. In Sub-Saharan Africa up to 80% of the population has no electricity and the average life expectancy is less than 50 years. The World Bank recently reported that Eskom's 4,800 MW Medupi coal power plant will bring life and hope to millions in that impoverished region.
Coal Based Electricity Means Life Itself
Coal is the world's most abundant and accessible source of energy. The widespread distribution of coal reserves gives a number of countries the opportunity to produce electricity on a scale impossible for other fuels. For such nations, coal based power is the pathway out of electricity poverty and the socioeconomic stagnation it entails:
"Lack of electricity exacerbates poverty and contributes to its perpetuation, as it precludes most industrial activities and the jobs they create." International Energy Agency
Infant Mortality and Access to Electricity
"They die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death" UNICEF, Progress of Nations
Coal's Past is Prologue: Witness America
The United States stands as an example of a nation that has utilized its vast coal resources to improve the quality of life of its citizens and propel itself to the center of the world's economic stage. Since 1950, coal-based generation has increased 1,100%, consistently producing about half of America's electricity. During the same period:
- The population grew by 150 million
- Life expectancy increased by 10 years
- Infant mortality declined 80%
- GDP increased 550%
- Coal provided 50% of the power for a constantly growing array of machines, appliances, lights, buildings, facilities and more recently, the Internet--in other words, coal's role goes on and on-- as 150 million Facebook account users in the United States should attest.
China is following the U.S. example:
Developing countries seek to increase the standard of living of their population. China is leading the way by employing energy from coal to produce electricity, make steel and cement and convert coal to liquid fuels, substitute natural gas, and chemicals. Since 1990, coal consumption in China has increased 165% and the outcome has startled the world with the emergence of the second largest economy.
It is undeniable that the plan to build the Chinese economy on coal is working. In terms of absolute numbers, no nation has made more progress toward the U.N. Millennium Development Goals than China.
Coal Based Electricity and the Quality of Life in China
About 85% of the global population elevated from poverty since 1990 are Chinese
And Now India Follows Suit
In 2010, India will obtain over 600 billion kWh of electricity from coal, or about 70% of its total supply. India's 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012) stated: "Coal is expected to be the mainstay of power generation in the years to come." Accordingly, by 2035, coal-based generation will exceed 2,200 billion kWh - a 270 % increase. And every kilowatt hour will be sorely needed as energy deprivation in India is a national blight:
The Dark Shadow of Electricity Poverty in India
"India has more people without adequate access to energy than any country in the world" National Resources Forum, 2008
Why coal based electricity is on the rise:
"They struggle to read by candle light. They lack refrigeration for keeping food and medicines fresh. Those appliances that they do have are powered by batteries... each year, 1.3 million people - mostly women and children - die as a result of fumes from indoor biomass stoves... These prospects are unacceptable - morally, economically and politically" Fatih Birol, Chief Economist, IEA
To meet these dramatic needs, much of India's incremental coal supply will be imported from Australia. For example, India's Adami Enterprises recently purchased 8 billion metric tons of coal reserves in Queensland. Coal India Ltd. is building port facilities in the southeastern part of India to handle growing coal imports from Australia in conjunction with the Five Year Plan and long term demand.
References:
- The World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org/
- UNICEF: http://www.unicef.org/
- IEA,2010--http://www.iea.org/
- EIA, http://www.eia.gov/
- U.S. Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov/
- Note: Detailed references available from author.
About Frank Clemente, Ph.D.
Dr. Clemente is Professor Emeritus at Penn State University where he specializes in research on the socioeconomic aspects of energy policy. His work has appeared in World Oil, Public Utilities Fortnightly, Oil and Gas Journal and a variety of other energy related media. The materials presented here are solely the responsibility of the author and do not represent Pennsylvania State University in any manner.
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