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Friday, 30 March 18
EXPLAINING POLAND'S COAL PARADOX - FORBES
 In the U.S. coal is succumbing to market forces despite the Trump Administration’s push to support the industry. Abundant, cheap and cleaner natural gas together with ever more efficient and increasingly affordable wind and solar continue displacing coal in electricity generation. But to assume this is the general worldwide trend would be a serious mistake. In fact, even in the heart of “renewable-friendly” Europe, coal is and most likely will continue to be a fuel of choice. Despite coal’s obvious shortcomings that include high CO2 content and local air pollutants, Poland projects that in 2050 coal will still constitute 50% of its energy mix. The strong commitment to coal expressed most recently in the government’s program for the hard coal sector, is driven by host of factors that include social, electoral and policy considerations. As a general statement, it is important to understand the powerful role these factors play in the fuel mix across different countries.
Currently, Poland tops the EU list of biggest coal energy producers, and coal continues to dominate the energy mix in Poland (50%), accounting for a whopping 80% of electricity generation. Going forward, the country is looking into expanding coal production through investment in multiple new mines, including those producing lignite. These plans correspond with power-generation and district heating investments in new plants or expansion of existing facilities.
At the same time, Poland has been behind the EU schedule in implementing the mandated share of renewables energy sources (RES) in the Polish energy mix. The government has also been visibly slow with implementing the 2015 law on renewable energy sources, which in contrast to many EU countries, includes coal as part of the renewable energy mix via coal-biomass based cogeneration.
On the surface, the Polish government’s strong commitment to coal is removed from the realities of the current EU policy direction and market conditions. It goes against the trends in most OECD countries where a less-CO2 intensive energy mix includes increases in RES and natural gas while phasing out coal. Additionally, by pursuing coal Poland opens itself to disputes with the EU that can include substantial monetary fines. Moreover, Polish policy seems to contradict the government’s recent commitment to fight high levels of smog in many cities.
However, a deeper dive reveals that the pervasive use of coal in Poland cannot be explained in strictly environmental or market terms, or even in reference to the EU policy direction.
Coal takes a special place not only in Poland’s energy mix but also in the nation’s collective heart. The coal industry has been traditionally revered, if not romanticized, and much of this continues today. As reported by Poland’s Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS) in 2016, miners in Poland are respected at levels (82%) comparable to university professors (80%) and more than medical doctors (74%) or teachers (71%).
Miners have also enjoyed high salaries and pensions, often several times higher than the national average. In addition, they are highly organized within politically influential trade unions. The government is well aware that any decision that endangers the future of mining will meet with substantial protest, as exemplified by the events of 2015 when miners threatened to end the government of Ewa Kopacz, then Polish Prime Minister. A new law to restructure Poland’s largest mining company was met with widespread protests by miners and their unions, who saw the law as a prelude to the closing of four mines in the Upper Silesia region. Negotiations that ensued resulted in the government’s strong commitment to keeping all mines open, effectively assuring the mining jobs that could have otherwise been eliminated.
Thus, any policy that could potentially limit coal and negatively affect mining jobs can have immediate negative consequences for the incumbent government as well as serious electoral implications. There are 55 seats (out of 460 seats) in the Sejm (the lower chamber of the parliament) and 13 (out of 100) in Senate (the upper chamber of the parliament elected in Upper Silesia – the region historically known as “the kingdom of black coal.” Additional “coal” seats are dispersed around the country where lignite is mined. When compared to prospective EU disputes and/or fines, electoral and public support considerations are more immediate and can directly affect chances of survival for any incumbent government.
Intertwined with socio-political consideration is the second major issue that explains coal’s strong position and commitment to coal going forward – energy security. In Poland, the concept of energy security is viewed predominantly as low dependence on Russia, and it is at the top of government and general public priorities. Domestically available coal offers predictability and peace of mind at a time when renewable energy is still at the very beginning of its development, a potential nuclear power plant is still in discussion stages, and the majority of natural gas consumed in Poland needs to be imported from abroad, primarily from Russia.
Recognizing the geopolitical consequences of dependence on Russian gas, Poland has diversified its pool of natural gas providers, thanks to the newly built LNG terminal in Swinoujscie. But, LNG imports are intended to back out Russian gas rather then provide substitute for coal; so they are unlikely to push out coal in the same manner domestically available natural gas has in the US. In fact, part of the planned expansion of LNG imports into Poland is designed to capitalize on Poland becoming a hub for LNG distribution to other European countries.
Coal policy is a difficult balancing act for Poland. It needs to take into account immediate electoral, social and energy security considerations as well as the country’s commitments as a member of the EU. Poland receives substantial EU subsidies, including €27.4 billion for the Program on Infrastructure and Environment that stresses low-emission economy and environmental protection in addition to infrastructure development and energy security. Those funds could potentially be at risk going forward if Poland does not live up to its stated RES and emissions obligations.
The situation is also difficult for the EU more generally, as it highlights the tensions and different priorities between “high income Western Europe” and “middle income Central and Eastern Europe”. To be truly successful the EU has to understand the heterogeneous needs and priorities of its members. Strict RES development goals not adjusted to local needs, combined with potential fines and reprimands for noncompliance are unlikely to achieve the climate and decarbonization goals the EU has established. Instead rigid rules could push countries like Poland where government’s skepticism towards the EU is already high, toward a non-EU future. The issue seems to have been considered by the EU, which has recently committed €1.25 billion ($1.55 billion) to assist the Polish government with mine closures that could address some of the hardships such closures could have for the affected population. One might suspect substantive help provided to coal-dependent regions – including re-training and unemployment compensation – could alleviate some of the social and electoral considerations. Also, support toward less carbon-intensive energy sources that could be developed domestically – such as biogas – could facilitate a less coal-intensive future. Lastly, research toward and potential development of capture and storage solutions and/or coal gasification could accommodate some of Poland’s reliance on coal while minimizing its negative externalities, such as CO2 emissions and smog.
Source: Forbes
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Friday, 09 March 18
U.S. EXPORTED 97 MMST OF COAL IN 2017, A 61 PER CENT INCREASE FROM 2016 - EIA
COALspot.com – U.S., the world’s second largest coal producers have produced approximately totaled an estimated 15.1 million short tons ...
Thursday, 08 March 18
BUMA SIGNED OVER US$ 500 MILLION WORTH OF NEW CONTRACT WITH PT TANAH BUMBU RESOURCES
PT Delta Dunia Makmur Tbk., announced that its subsidiary, PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama ("BUMA"), has entered into mining services ...
Thursday, 08 March 18
THE ENERGY CONTRIBUTION FROM COAL-BASED POWER PLANTS IS LIKELY TO INCREASE TO 1072 BU BY 2021-22 : PIB
Government of India has set an ambitious target of 175 GW from Renewable energy sources (RES) by 2022, which comprises of 100 GW Solar, 60GW from W ...
Thursday, 08 March 18
SUPRAMAX: THE MARKET IS STILL GOING STRONG IN THE PACIFIC - FEARNLEYS
Supramax
The market is still going strong in the Pacific, with Ultra fixing high US$ 13000+375000 bb for South Africa to ECI while nickel ore run ...
Thursday, 08 March 18
AVERAGE U.S. COAL MINING PRODUCTIVITY INCREASES AS PRODUCTION FALLS - EIA
Coal mining productivity in the United States increased 26% over the past five years, reaching 6.8 tons per miner hour in 2017, up from 5.4 tons pe ...
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- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Planning Commission, India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- The University of Queensland
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Australian Coal Association
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- White Energy Company Limited
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- PTC India Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
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