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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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Tuesday, 06 February 18
THE FUNDAMENTALS FOR INDIAN COAL IMPORTS CONTINUE TO LOOK PROMISING - TORVALD KLAVENESS
Back in August we reported that the fundamentals impacting Indian coal imports looked more promising.
Trade flow data today implies 17.4Mt of ...
Monday, 05 February 18
SUPRAMAX : INDONESIA TO INDIA PASSING THROUGH SINGAPORE HAS SOFTENED
COALspot.com: The daily average earnings for Supramax, for the route Indonesia to India passing through Singapore has softened, week over week, own ...
Friday, 02 February 18
SUPRAMAX : INDONESIA TO CHINA COAL TRIPS ARE PAYING AROUND MID USD 9000 - FEARNLEYS
Supramax
Rather quiet week within Atl, specially Continent due to lack of cargoes.
According to Fearnleys Weekly - Dry bulk report published ...
Friday, 02 February 18
U.S. YEAR-TO-DATE COAL PRODUCTION TOTALED 54.1 MMST, DOWN 8.8% YOY - EIA
COALspot.com – U.S., the world’s second largest coal producers have produced approximately totaled an estimated 15.3 million short tons ...
Thursday, 01 February 18
RISING US OIL EXPORTS, MARKET DISRUPTION, BRENT-WTI SPREAD - WOOD MACKENZIE
What will US tight oil growth do to crude markets? The build-up in volumes early this decade led to a supply glut that undermined prices in 2014.
...
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Showing 1816 to 1820 news of total 6871 |
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- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- White Energy Company Limited
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Planning Commission, India
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- The University of Queensland
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Australian Coal Association
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- PTC India Limited - India
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
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