Status and Outlook of Coal’s Role in Worldwide Energy Supply

According to Hans-Wilhelm Schiffer, World Energy Council, London, and Thomas Thielemann, RWE Power AG, Cologne, the stronger expansion of renewable energy and the use of coal are not contradictory. Coal is a key factor in securing energy supply and is also cheaper than other energies. It is thus making a key contribution to the affordability of energy, to securing the competitiveness of industry and thus to economic development. Replacing goal with gas is not expedient in terms of climate protection either. In addition to the expansion of renewable energies and continued improvements in energy efficiency, the use of advanced technologies in coal is also indispensable to achieving the climate goals of the community of states.