Annual Report 2010 - Verein der Kohlenimporteure eV

Over the course of 2010, coking coal import prices rose
steadily up to €185/t in November 2010. This reflected
rising demand for coking coal worldwide, which
became very noticeable during the second half of the
year. High prices can also be expected in 2011.
Overall, it can be stated that world market prices for
coking coal are significantly closer to the average
production costs in Germany than is the case for steam
coal.
Renewables on the Rise – start-up support
for new technologies grows to a massive,
permanent public subsidy
The share of renewable energies in total final energy
consumption rose further to 10.5% in 2010 owing to the
generous subsidy and priority feed-in under the EEG
(German Act on Renewable Energy Sources).
Renewable energies accounted for (provisional):
primary energy demand, and
Primary Energy Consumption / Renewable
Energies by Sectors
2008
Mtce
2009
Mtce
2010
Mtce
Electricity 21.3 21.8 24.5
Heating 13.3 14.5 16.2
Fuels 4.5 4.0 4.3
Total
HT-D23 Source: AGEB
39.1 40.3 45.0
Renewable Energies: Germany’s Unilateral Action
Results in a Heavy Burden for its Citizens – With no
Despite the installed capacity for wind power increased
by 5.5% or 1,551 MW, and in photovoltaics increased
wind dropped by about 5.5%. So, power generation
from renewable energy sources from wind stagnated.
Nevertheless, because of the priority feed-in, the
absolute share produced from renewables increased,
especially due to the rapid hike of solar power plants.
With a functional EU Emissions Trading Scheme
to protect the climate, the EEG (Renewable Energy
Sources Act) no longer makes sense. In fact, its effects
run counter to emissions trading. The support for “green
electricity” in Germany reduces energy production from
fossil sources of energy and releases CO 2 certificates for
trading. So, the price for the CO 2 certificates falls. Other
EU countries can then produce more cheaper electricity
from fossil fuels. German consumers end up subsidising
fossil energy production in the EU and around the world.
The effect on the climate is virtually nil.
Emissions trading in Europe achieves almost nothing
in terms of global climate improvement. Although it
reduces the demand for fossil fuels in Europe and makes
their use more expensive, it does nothing to reduce the
worldwide use of fossil fuels. Unless an international
CO 2 trading system is established and a global climate
protection treaty is concluded, German and European
efforts are doomed to failure and are an unnecessary
expense for taxpayers.
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