World Energy Outlook 2006

TWh
Figure 6.3: World Incremental Electricity Generation by Fuel
in the Reference Scenario
4 500
3 500
2 500
1 500
500
–500
2004-2015
2015-2030
Oil Nuclear Hydro Other renewables Gas Coal
Coal-fired power plants produced 6 917 TWh in 2004, 40% of total world
electricity output. Coal-fired generation is projected to reach 14 703 TWh in
2030. Most of the increase occurs in China, where strong demand for
electricity continues to be met primarily by coal – the country’s most
abundant energy resource. Growth in coal-fired generation is also strong
in India and in other developing Asian economies. Developing Asia as a
whole accounts for more than three-quarters of the increase in coal-fired
generation between now and 2030 (Figure 6.4). Worldwide, high natural
gas prices are making coal-fired generation competitive again. A number of
coal-fired power stations are now under construction in the United States
and some companies have announced plans to build coal-based power plants
in Europe.
Coal-fired generation technology has improved. New coal-fired power plants
on the market now have efficiencies of up to 46%, compared to 42% in the
early 1990s. 4 Efficiency is expected to improve further. Most new coal-fired
power plants are expected to use conventional steam boilers, with the share of
supercritical technology rising gradually. Integrated-gasification combined-cycle
4. On a net basis, using lower heating value (the heat liberated by the complete combustion of a unit
of fuel when the water produced is assumed to remain as a vapor and the heat is not recovered).
140 World Energy Outlook 2006 - THE REFERENCE SCENARIO
© OECD/IEA, 2007