1.
Accounts for 39% of world electricity production – the most important source of electricity in OECD and non-OECD.
2.
Accounts for more than 50% of electricity generation in
Australia, China, India, Australia, Eastern Europe and the USA.
3.
Coal expected to remain the most important source of electricity through to 2030. Capacity will grow by 120% (twothirds of this in developing countries) – $1.3 trillion of investment.
4.
Predominantly domestic good: 3% traded.

TWh
30 000
Projected world electricity production to 2030, by fuel source
Solar/Wind
25 000
Combustible
Renewables & Waste
Geothermal
20 000
Hydro
15 000
Nuclear
10 000
Gas
5 000
0
2002 2010
Source: World Energy Outlook 2004, IEA
2020
Liquid Fuels
2030
Coal

1. 70% of all power sector electricity and heat emissions.
2. 15.8% of global anthropogenic GHG emissions
(22% for electricity and heat).
3. Projected to rise 60% by 2030 with developing countries accounting for 90% of this growth.
4. Higher plant thermal efficiencies are the key to achieving lower emissions intensities.
5. CO
2 emissions intensities vary significantly: Japan’s is 35% lower than India’s.

Coal-fired electricity generation CO
2 emissions intensities by region, 2002 kg CO2/ MWh
1 200
1 100
1 000
900
800
700

1. In 2002, average thermal efficiency in the OECD was
36%, in developing countries it was 30%. In 2030, expected to rise to 40% and 36% respectively.
2. State-of-the-art pulverised plants have efficiencies as high as 47%. IGCC (gasification) plants 50%. Thermal efficiencies of up to 56% is believed to be possible.
3. If all regions were to achieve the same efficiency level of
Japan emissions could be reduced by 17% in 2020.
4. Major barrier to reducing emissions: capital costs.
5. Capture and storage technologies is probably 10 years off. Major technical and cost challenges.