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on costs, is a useful tool for comparing
across various generation technologies,
but cannot be the sole metric used when
analysing power plant costs due to various
factors such as fluctuating coal prices and
utilisation rates.
A ‘cold war’ exists between coal and
renewable energy, which places interests
at odds. Instead, these interests need to
be aligned. VRE requires a stable base load
in order to balance power systems due to
various factors such as fluctuating coal
prices and utilisation rates.
Climate change is a global issue, which
could be better tackled better as a region,
not country by country. The barriers to
broader HELE adoption need to be lowered
so that climate change can be addressed
on a regional level. The technology, with
both its local and global benefits should
not be possessed solely by those with
higher technical and financial capacities.
The responsibility to address the causes
of climate change is the responsibility of all
member States and broader co-operation
is required.
With vast numbers of subcritical CFPPs
currently in operation, it may take decades
to phase out these inefficient plants.
The economics covering the entire value
chain, including employment, need to be
taken into account before power plants
are shut down in favour of new generation
technology.
Long-term sustainable development goals
need to be reconciled with short-term
electrification needs in order to avoid
locking into technologies for the next 40
years that will create an abundance of
emissions, creating environmental impacts
at local and global levels. Best practices
from the region and globally need to be
replicated and improved upon to increase
options for member States.
Regional co-operation and knowledge
sharing can help reduce some of the
technological gaps between member
States with respect to HELE coal-fired
generation. In particular, sharing of policies,
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regulations, and targets could facilitate
further development of HELE. Funding
initiatives to encourage HELE generation
may also be established.
In Japan, all of the coal-fired power
stations are equipped with air pollution
control equipment. Their emissions are
controlled by strict regulations. Power
station operators comply with the
regulations strictly and sincerely during
operation. As a result, Japan gains
cleaner air without air pollution from the
combustion of coal. Japan has coal-fired
plants, such as ultra-supercritical plants,
and promotes utilisation of HELE coal-fired
power generation technology in addressing
climate change.
The Russian Federation is overhauling its
power generation sector and is looking
at integrating best practices not only
from within the Russian Federation, but
also from around the world, in an effort
to invest in the most cost-effective and
efficient technologies. Working with the
private sector and paying for licenses
in order to acquire the most efficient
generation technologies is also an
option, in addition to technology transfer
and knowledge sharing from member
States, including China and India. Power
producers within the Russian Federation
are asking the Government to provide
cost–benefit analyses as well as risk
calculations associated with these higher
efficiency generation technologies in order
to determine the cost effectiveness. This
illustrates a willingness to move toward
more efficient generation technologies.
With more coal-fired power generation plants on
the drawing board for Malaysia such as the recently
announced 2,000MW ultra-supercritical coalfired power plant by Chugoku Electric Power Co.,
it is important to take cognisance of the efficient
generation technologies as promoted by ESCAP.
Source: UN ESCAP Regional Trends Report on
Energy for Sustainable Development in Asia and
the Pacific 2015.
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