Power Statistics - 2010 Edition - Full Report - Eurelectric

The electricity industry
is reducing its emissions
Power Statistics 2010 sheds light on a continuous decrease in CO 2 emissions,
as well as in other gases (SO 2 and NO x ). CO 2 emissions from electricity
generation fell by 33 % in relative terms between 1980 and 2008, and will
be more than halved by 2030. Compared to 1980, SO 2 emissions have been
reduced by 80 % and NO x emissions by 60 % (Figures 14-17).
Power is and will be generated
using all available technologies
Power Statistics 2010 shows that the entire range of power generation
technologies has been used, although the proportions have shifted over
time. This diversified mix is crucial to ensure security of supply and to
achieve an optimal balance between intermittent renewable energy sources
(RES) and flexible and back-up capacity (Figures 9-11).
The electricity industry is investing
significantly in RES
Power Statistics 2010 shows that the electricity industry has taken up
the challenge and has become a significant investor in ‘new’ RES (mainly
wind, solar and biomass), whose capacity in 2008 was almost 60 times the
capacity in 1980. But for the industry to deliver in an optimal way – carbonneutral,
commercially viable, at affordable prices – an integrated European
electricity market is needed (Figure 12).
Power Statistics – 2010 Edition 9