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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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Thursday, 21 December 17
SUPRAMAX: IN THE MOST CHANCE, DO NOT EXPECT ANY DRAMATIC CHANGES IN THE NEAR FUTURE - FEARNLEYS
Supramax
Market reducing speed. Rates are dropping further for supras outbound USG on fronth, bkhaul is more stable i.e $25k/22k respectively say ...
Wednesday, 20 December 17
INDONESIAN HBA FELL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX MONTHS, GOVERNMENT DATA SHOWS
COALspot.com: HBA fell 0.80 per cent in December, marking the first fall for the Indonesian Coal Price Reference ( HBA) since June 2017, the latest ...
Monday, 18 December 17
U.S. COAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 2017 WERE 69 MMST; UP 68% M/M - EIA
COALspot.com – U.S., the world’s second largest coal producers have produced approximately totalled an estimated 15.5 million sho ...
Thursday, 14 December 17
SUPRAMAX: INDO COAL TO CHINA AROUND LOW $10K DELIVERY SINGAPORE
Supramax
Atlantic basin kept its firm pace with charters still busy with covering pre-holiday requirements. Ultras got close to $20k for ordinary ...
Wednesday, 13 December 17
REFINED COAL HAS MADE UP NEARLY ONE-FIFTH OF COAL-FIRED POWER GENERATION SO FAR IN 2017 - EIA
The U.S. power sector consumption of coal is increasingly shifting to refined coal, even as coal-fired electricity generation decreases. Use of ref ...
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Showing 1846 to 1850 news of total 6871 |
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- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- The University of Queensland
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- MS Steel International - UAE
- White Energy Company Limited
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Planning Commission, India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- PTC India Limited - India
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- VISA Power Limited - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Australian Coal Association
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
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