William Durbin from Wood Mackenzie that provides research and consulting services around the globe released a forecast suggesting that coal will be the world’s main source of energy by 2020. According to the WoodMac experts, this fuel will surpass oil in six years from now. The report also says that by the end of the decade the coal consumption will amount to 4.5 billion tons of oil equivalent, while the demand for black gold will be at just 4.4 billion. Even the 2010 statistics on the fuel demand showed that the coal is gaining popularity. For comparison’s sake, at that time oil hardly outstripped its main rival posting 4 billion tons against coal’s 3.6 billion. Moreover, since 2000, coal usage as a main energy generator jumped by 1.3 billion tons. India and China have still been its major consumers, the latter, for example, drives two-thirds in coal consumption. William Durbin has no doubt that these countries keep using this type of fuel due to low cost and accessibility. By 2020, power consumption in People’s Republic of China will boost to 8,600 TW compared to 5,000 TW nowadays. A 46% difference is supposed to be covered at the coal expense. As for the situation in developed countries, the coal demand is supported by the gap in legislation and low prices. According to Wood Mackenzie, the switch to new energy sources is unlikely to happen in the nearest future. In compliance with the International Energy Agency estimates, in 2017, the coal’s share of global energy mix will be equal to the oil’s one.
