The efficiency of coal-fired power

The efficiency of coal-fired power stations has increased a factor 50 over the past century, and further improvements can be expected. Upgrading the world's coal power stations to 'best available technology' could save 3500 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, i.e. more than 10 times the EU's Kyoto commitments for the first period.

For the foreseeable future, coal is very likely to remain an important part of the backbone of electricity infrastructure. Making efficient use of coal can halve CO2 emissions per kWh in comparison to some of the least efficient plants operating.