1 April 2019, Growing energy demand across the globe is expected to drive the global coal fired generation market over the next five years. Coal fired generation process is cheaper than other sources owing to abundant availability and low price of coal. Reliable and inexpensive nature of coal is expected to cater the increasing electricity demand over the forecast period. Oil & gas reserves depletion is anticipated to boost the market in near future. Regional government initiatives to provide power to all at affordable price mainly in emerging and developing countries is projected to bolster the coal fired generation market over the next five years.
Major electricity generation companies especially in Europe faced losses on account of using high price natural gas as a source to generate electricity. However, they have been constantly focusing on usage of coal as a major source of generating electricity to keep their profit high. Many European nations especially Germany has planned to open new coal fired generation sites on account of increasing energy demand over the next five years. Volatile oil & gas prices and uncertain supply are anticipated to foster the market growth over the next five years. Over 40% electricity is being generated using coal across the globe in 2011. Key participants in the global coal fired generation market are involved in developing new combustion technologies to improve conventional PCC (Pulverized Coal Combustion) efficiency. This is expected to boost the global market over the forecast period. Stringent environmental norms regarding greenhouse gases emission during coal fired generation process is anticipated to have a negative impact on the market growth over the next five years.
Coal fired generation market is technologically segmented as PCC (pulverized coal combustion) and cyclone furnace. PCC was the largest technology segment in 2013 owing to low greenhouse gas emission and high thermal efficiency. High emission rates in traditional technologies are expected to cater CFB (circulating fluidized bed) systems growth over the foreseeable future. Commercial was the dominant application segment in 2013 accounting for over 55% of the total market. This is also anticipated to be the fastest growing application segment over the forecast period.
Asia Pacific dominated the global coal fired generation market in 2013 accounting for over 55% owing to increasing electricity demand in the region. The region is projected to witness fastest growth over the next five years. China was the largest consumer in the region due abundant coal availability and cheap prices in 2013. China reduced coal prices to offset high natural gas prices in the last two years. Emerging and developing economies such as India, Indonesia, China and Brazil are expected to witness considerable market growth on account of profitable power generation process over the next five years. North America is anticipated to witness stagnant growth owing to stringent environmental regulations associated with greenhouse gas emission. Some of the coal dependent nations include Germany (41%), U.S.A. (45%), Morocco (51%), Czech Republic (51%), Greece (54%), Israel (58%), India (68%), Kazakhstan (75%), Australia (78%), China (79%), Poland (87%) and South Africa (93%).
China Huaneng Group was the market leader in coal fired generation market in 2013. The market is moderately fragmented. China Huaneng Group, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Shenhua Group Corporation Limited and China Datang Corporation are the major players contributed over 20% of the total market. Some other key players include E.ON SE, Duke Energy Corporation, American Electric Power Company Inc., and National Thermal Power Corporation Limited.