Reducing Emissions in the Power Sector: Challenges and Solutions for Europe
The current landscape for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the power sector remains challenging. Factors such as collapsing CO2 prices and unfavorable market conditions hinder effective climate policies. Gas plants, crucial for a greener energy mix, are being sidelined, leading to the mothballing of non-profitable installations. Europe must respond with clear CO2 price signals to encourage investments in low-emission technologies. Coordinated frameworks and support schemes are essential for ensuring energy security and facilitating a competitive transition towards renewable energy sources.
Reducing Emissions in the Power Sector: Challenges and Solutions for Europe
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Presentation Transcript
Reducing emissions in the power sector Didier Sire Executive Vice PresidentStrategyat GDF SUEZ Energy Europe April 25th, 2013
Current situation GHG emissions are decreasing thanks to the crisis … not to a strong and effective climate policy • The current market conditions are very unfavorable for CO2 emission reduction • CO2 prices have collapsed • Existing low-carbon emitting CCGT not competitive with coal plants • No appropriate price signal for low carbon investments • Huge concerns on EU-ETS future since April 16th The situation of gas is very critical while it should play a key role for environmental policy and security of supply • Gas plants are pushed away of the merit order • Ongoing process of “Mothballing / Decommissioning” of non profitable gas plants As a result
Challenge To reach the objective of decarbonisation in the power sector by giving a clear CO2 price signal leading to promote gas technologies investments • US situation illustrates how switching from coal to gas can rapidly and economically contribute to GHG emissions reduction. It means that: • Measures have to be taken in order to keep existing thermal assets with lower emissions in the merit order • Appropriate price and political signals must be sent to investors to allow them to invest in gas • In the long term, the energy mix must be balanced with: • RES supported by coordinated, coherent and fair support schemes aiming at a progressive integration into the market of mature technologies. • Gas developed in a well designed and coordinated CRM at European level in order to guarantee the security of the European power system
What Europe can bring An improved & coordinated European framework • Providing long term visibility for investors • Coordinating CRM systems • Avoiding “renationalisation” of energy policies A reshaped European climate policy • New proposal to enforce a stronger carbon price signal must be urgently studied by policy makers A new market design • The EOM is not sustainable for the system and investors are not confident enough to invest