popular articles

Demand for air conditioning prolongs coal-fired power plant operation

Global demand for electricity, driven by the growing need for air conditioning, is keeping coal-fired power plants running despite the rise of renewable energies, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
augmentation demande électricité climatiseurs IA

Please share:

Global demand for electricity is experiencing unprecedented growth due to rising global temperatures, stimulating the use of air conditioners.
TheInternational Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts a 4% increase in electricity consumption in 2024, the highest since 2007.
This trend is set to continue in 2025, with growth driven by intense heat waves and rapid urbanization in countries such as India and China.
Countries such as India should see their demand grow by 8% in 2024, while China will record a 6% increase.
This growing demand puts pressure on power grids to maintain a reliable supply, often provided by coal-fired power plants due to their ability to respond quickly to peaks in consumption.

Impact of Renewable Technologies and Energies

At the same time, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the growth of data centers are adding a new dimension to energy demand.
The energy requirements of these infrastructures raise questions about energy efficiency and demand management.
Renewable energies continue to grow, accounting for 35% of global supply in 2025, up from 30% in 2023.
However, despite this increase, coal is expected to remain a key energy source in 2024, due to the current limitations of renewable infrastructures to manage variations in demand.

Carbon emissions and environmental impact

The IEA forecasts a stabilization of carbon emissions from the global energy sector, with a slight increase expected this year before a decline in 2025.
This projection underlines the resilience of fossil fuels despite global efforts to reduce emissions and develop green energies.
Maintaining coal-fired power plants is often justified by the need to guarantee a stable power supply during periods of high demand.
However, this situation poses major environmental challenges, requiring more robust energy policies to effectively integrate renewables and reduce emissions.
The rapid growth in electricity demand, driven in particular by air conditioning and AI, underlines the importance of a balanced and sustainable energy transition.
Efforts to increase the share of renewable energies must be stepped up to meet this demand while minimizing environmental impacts.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Global coal demand peaked at 8.77 billion tons in 2024. Thanks to the rise of renewable energy, it is expected to stabilize by 2027, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
In China, Harbin Electric Corporation inaugurates a 660 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired CFB boiler, blending technological innovation and ecological management. A project that raises questions as coal declines globally.
In China, Harbin Electric Corporation inaugurates a 660 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired CFB boiler, blending technological innovation and ecological management. A project that raises questions as coal declines globally.
China's coal imports increased by 19% in November compared to October, reaching nearly 55 million tons. This growth is driven by stable supply from long-term contracts, despite muted spot demand.
China's coal imports increased by 19% in November compared to October, reaching nearly 55 million tons. This growth is driven by stable supply from long-term contracts, despite muted spot demand.
President Prabowo Subianto commits to eliminating coal power plants by 2040, marking an unprecedented ambition. This radical shift poses significant technical and financial challenges as the country remains heavily reliant on coal.
President Prabowo Subianto commits to eliminating coal power plants by 2040, marking an unprecedented ambition. This radical shift poses significant technical and financial challenges as the country remains heavily reliant on coal.
Bosnia faces the coal challenge between dependence and environmental pressures
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is expected to reach its peak coal consumption by 2025, according to a recent report. This represents a key step toward energy transition despite the challenges of a rapidly growing economy.
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is expected to reach its peak coal consumption by 2025, according to a recent report. This represents a key step toward energy transition despite the challenges of a rapidly growing economy.
The British mining giant Anglo American sells its steelmaking coal mines in Australia to Peabody Energy for $3.775 billion, marking its strategic withdrawal from this sector.
The British mining giant Anglo American sells its steelmaking coal mines in Australia to Peabody Energy for $3.775 billion, marking its strategic withdrawal from this sector.
In Ankara Province, Turkey, 500 miners occupy a coal mine to protest a privatization project, fearing job losses and worsening working conditions.
In Ankara Province, Turkey, 500 miners occupy a coal mine to protest a privatization project, fearing job losses and worsening working conditions.
The restart of the Cordemais coal plant, planned to address the cold wave, has been halted by a strike. Workers oppose the scheduled closure and demand guarantees for their future.
At COP29 in Baku, 25 nations, including the United Kingdom and Australia, pledged to stop building coal power plants. This initiative aims to curb global warming despite a 2% increase in global coal capacity in 2023.
At COP29 in Baku, 25 nations, including the United Kingdom and Australia, pledged to stop building coal power plants. This initiative aims to curb global warming despite a 2% increase in global coal capacity in 2023.
Global and domestic coal consumption could support U.S. thermal coal markets in 2025, driven by increased demand in Asia and Europe, despite challenges linked to the energy transition.
Global and domestic coal consumption could support U.S. thermal coal markets in 2025, driven by increased demand in Asia and Europe, despite challenges linked to the energy transition.
The British government has decided to end new licenses for coal mining, reaffirming its commitment to energy transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The British government has decided to end new licenses for coal mining, reaffirming its commitment to energy transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Saint-Avold plant has resumed production to secure French energy supply with the onset of winter, despite controversy over its environmental impact and plans for reconversion.
Facing growing energy demand due to a record-breaking summer, Japan reports a surge in coal imports, exploring new suppliers to secure its electricity needs.
Facing growing energy demand due to a record-breaking summer, Japan reports a surge in coal imports, exploring new suppliers to secure its electricity needs.
EDF has launched disciplinary procedures against seven CGT activists at the Cordemais power plant following incidents related to the Ecocombust project, prompting strong reactions from the union.
EDF has launched disciplinary procedures against seven CGT activists at the Cordemais power plant following incidents related to the Ecocombust project, prompting strong reactions from the union.
Despite the dockworkers' strike in British Columbia, coal shipments from Westshore Terminals continue without major disruptions, confirming the terminal's operational independence amid union blockades.
Despite the dockworkers' strike in British Columbia, coal shipments from Westshore Terminals continue without major disruptions, confirming the terminal's operational independence amid union blockades.
Russian thermal coal exports are facing severe liquidity losses, exacerbated by logistical restrictions and rising costs, prompting buyers to turn to alternative sources.
US Elections 2024: The Disappearance of "King Coal" from the Political Scene
US Elections 2024: The Disappearance of "King Coal" from the Political Scene
Australian coal producers reduce the processing of lower grades due to rising exports to China, while South Korean demand for higher grades declines.
Australian coal producers reduce the processing of lower grades due to rising exports to China, while South Korean demand for higher grades declines.
Eight deputies and senators from Loire-Atlantique are calling on Emmanuel Macron to reverse the decision to close the Cordemais coal power plant by 2027, accusing the government of breaking its environmental commitments.
Eight deputies and senators from Loire-Atlantique are calling on Emmanuel Macron to reverse the decision to close the Cordemais coal power plant by 2027, accusing the government of breaking its environmental commitments.
NextGen CDR signs agreement with Alt Carbon for the purchase of carbon sequestration credits in India, marking its first operation outside Europe and the United States.
In the heart of Donbass, Ukrainian miners continue to extract essential coal despite bombings. Their work, a true energy front, is crucial to maintaining Ukraine's electricity supply during wartime.
In the heart of Donbass, Ukrainian miners continue to extract essential coal despite bombings. Their work, a true energy front, is crucial to maintaining Ukraine's electricity supply during wartime.
French Banks Continue Investing in Coal through 2023
French Banks Continue Investing in Coal through 2023
In September 2024, China imported a record volume of coal, driven by the decline in international prices and growing domestic demand, particularly in electricity production and the chemical industry.
In September 2024, China imported a record volume of coal, driven by the decline in international prices and growing domestic demand, particularly in electricity production and the chemical industry.

Advertising