High energy price volatility has for the first time replaced global climate framework as the number-one critical uncertainty driving the world energy agenda, according to the 2014 World Energy Issues Monitor, which was released by the World Energy Council (WEC) recently.
Global climate framework uncertainty, while still is a key uncertainty, is now perceived by energy leaders to have less impact than in the previous three years of the study. Meanwhile, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) continues to be viewed as a technology with only a limited impact on the energy sector, continuing the clear trend over the past three years.
Christoph Frei, WEC Secretary General, comments at the launch of the report at the Africa Energy Indaba: “The fact that both climate framework and CCUS are perceived to be issues of less impact is bad news not only in terms of emissions mitigation, but also for the development of robust and resilient energy infrastructure. Our energy systems are in a state of massive expansion and transition, and the signals we see today provide clear evidence of the urgent need for more robust, coherent, long-term frameworks within which to plan and implement future investment.”
Energy price volatilitygoes beyond merely oil and gas prices and their regional differentials. It is also being influenced by the coal-to-gas substitution in the US; the increasing use of coal in Europe, which has driven up emissions; the collapse of solar module prices; and Australia re-directing its interest from North America to Asia while North American infrastructure companies are signing more deals with Asian customers.
The WEC study further finds that energy leaders are increasingly concerned about the sector’s ability to access the capital markets for funds towards energy infrastructure, when set against a continued recessionary backdrop.
Meanwhile, renewable energy and energy efficiency continue to keep energy leaders busy, with growth shifting from Europe and North America to the Middle East where demand is rapidly rising. Large hydropower is back on the agenda with significant unrealised potential in central Africa, Latin America, Russia, and Canada.
The 2014 World Energy Issues Monitor is the culmination of a six-month study capturing the views of over 800 energy leaders including ministers, chief executives and the heads of the WEC’s national members committees covering 84 countries. The report, which highlights strong regional variations, looks at the global energy agenda and analyses the trends and outlook in six world regions plus 24 countries.
The WEC’s analysis shows that South Africa’s energy leaders see electricity storage as one of the country’s top critical uncertainties, while unconventional energy sources and the global recession are also keeping energy leaders awake at night.
Brian Statham, chair of the South African Energy Association (SANEA), the WEC’s national member committee, says: “South Africa is continuing to contend with the lack of access to secure and affordable energy. Rapidly rising energy prices and continual electricity shortage could weigh upon the country’s ability to power its industry and economy. As a positive sign the government is opening the market to independent power producers and is increasingly promoting the uptake of renewables. However, in order for intermittent renewables to have a meaningful portion of the energy mix, we must find a viable way to store the power they generate.”
In Africa, the top critical uncertainties are climate framework, high energy prices, and commodity prices. As a change from last year, national governments and regional institutions are taking actions in energy efficiency and regional interconnection, while investment cooperation with China and India is viewed with increasing importance.
Bonang Mohale, WEC vice-chair for Africa, comments: “Our African survey finds that, in contrast with the global findings, climate framework has become an even more critical issue. Africa is dramatically vulnerable to climate change, and Africans are becoming more aware that climate change is an urgent and real issue rather than something that only countries with large emissions should worry about.”
Electricity supply remains a critical concern in Africa, with growing demand, lack of required investment, and increasing power shortages across the continent. Renewable energy remains a high-priority issue.
Marie-José Nadeau, chair of WEC, concludes: “This analysis shows us that the energy sector is reacting to short-term price signals while long-term signals are still absent. As the gap between energy access, energy security and energy sustainability widens, the financial investments and technical efforts required to deliver simultaneously secure, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy will increase significantly. The World Energy Council therefore urges the energy community to work on long-term frameworks, as they are key to our ability to reach our goals.”
Source: PublicityUpdate