The spread of the new crown pneumonia epidemic as an opportunity, the world accelerates the pace of coal removal

　　Taking the spread of the new crown pneumonia epidemic as an opportunity, the world has accelerated the pace of coal removal. As economic activities have stagnated and electricity demand has decreased, governments of various countries have deliberately responded to climate change and formulated economic policies to promote the transformation of energy structure. Since the industrial revolution, coal, which has provided power for human activities, is undergoing a major turning point.

　　According to a report on July 12, the British Power Supply Company revealed in June that even if coal-fired power generation is not used, renewable energy can be used to guarantee power supply for two months. A person from the British government said: "This is the first time since the Industrial Revolution that there has been zero coal for such a long time." For the first to realize industrialization in the UK, coal has been the main fuel for many years, but recently there has been an obvious move to eliminate coal. .

　　 reported that in the United States, renewable energy power generation exceeded coal-fired power generation for the first time in April. In 2020, coal thermal power generation will be reduced by 25%, and the proportion of energy in the next five years will drop to about 10%. The US energy structure, where coal accounted for nearly half in 2010, has now undergone tremendous changes.

　　 India, a major consumer country, has also seen a trend of a sharp decrease in coal. From March to April, coal-fired power generation decreased by more than 10%. As the thermal power plant reduced its operation and the air became clear, the Indians could clearly see the Himalayas. The people really feel the improvement in air quality, and the voices calling for coal to go are getting louder. The Indian government announced the large-scale introduction of solar power stations. According to reports, the Indian government also encourages companies to transfer renewable energy-related parts production bases from China.

　　 In Europe, Austria’s only coal-fired power plant ceased operation in April, and Sweden also shut down coal-fired power plants two years in advance.

　　 The report pointed out that it is easy to get people's recognition of the coal trend, but how to increase employment and wealth while changing the industrial structure is also a problem that troubles everyone. In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many mine workers to lose their jobs. Polish mines are suspended. The surface is based on the epidemic, but the possible closure of the mine triggered protests by workers.

　　 The report also stated that even if the economy recovers, coal demand will not rebound. U.S. cheap renewable energy and natural gas are driving coal out of the market. According to the analysis of the US Energy Information Administration, renewable energy transportation costs are low and easy to generate electricity.

　　 After the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia, how to meet the new energy era is being tested. With Europe as the center, countries have formulated economic countermeasures with coal removal as the main content, and worked together to achieve a green recovery. The European Commission and others announced that companies would use coal as a financing condition and also expressed support for the development of related technologies. A country that can keep up with the trend of the new era as soon as possible will control world hegemony.

　　 The report believes that in the future, in the process of green recovery, how to increase employment opportunities in the coal industry will also become a problem.

　　 There is also a trend in Japan to explore coal. The government decided to close the old coal-fired power plant. Japanese Minister of the Environment Shinjiro Koizumi proposed on the 9th to stipulate stricter coal firepower export conditions. The trend to go coal is unstoppable. Japan’s ability to look directly at reality is being tested.