The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released new data that shows coal-fired power generation has suffered the most in COVID-19’s effect on energy use, while renewable energy use continued to surge.
The IEA’s latest monthly statistics showed that Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, including Australia, saw electricity generation from coal fall a huge 21.6 per cent in March, compared to the previous 12 months.
At the same time the share of electricity that came from solar generation grew a significant 15.6 per cent, with wind adding an additional four per cent in March.
Gas generation was comparatively stable, increasing 2.7 per cent in March, driven by increased demand from OECD members in Northern America.
The decline in coal production significantly outpaced the overall fall in total electricity consumption, which fell 3.6 per cent in March across all OECD countries, as the economic impacts of COVID-19 shutdown globally started to have an impact on economic activity.
Significantly, renewable energy went against the trend, growing 7.1 per cent in March, driven predominantly by solar capacity growth across the OECD.
It was also impacted by a boost in hydro-electricity generation, helped by strong rains in Europe.
With renewable energy continuing to be dispatched due to lower marginal costs, it has seen the more costly coal generators pushed out of the market first, in response to falling electricity demand.
“Across all major regions, the power mix has shifted towards renewables following lockdown measures due to depressed electricity demand, low operating costs and priority access to the grid through regulations,” the IEA said.
“In the United States, natural gas has remained the leading source of electricity, while renewable energy has far outpaced the contribution of coal-fired power plants.
“In May, renewables have consolidated their second position after natural gas and way above coal.
“In India, the gap between coal and renewables has narrowed significantly.
“The share of coal in the electricity mix stayed consistently under 70 per cent.
“In late May, levels of electricity demand are recovering while the rising share of renewables in the mix reflects their seasonal availability.
“With progressive release of lockdown measures in China starting in the second half of March, the coal share recovers slightly, while renewables maintain a high share in the mix.
“In the EU, nuclear and coal have adjusted to generation levels still significantly lower and growing renewable energy availability.
The IEA report added that in several EU countries, in particular Italy, Spain and Germany, new records of variable renewables had been reached during the lockdown period.
It said the share of variable renewables remained high as lockdown measures were softening.
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One Response
Not if Scamo and his coal corrupt buddies can help it.