Dutch Deputy PM Recognises Critical Role of Gas as a Future Fuel
LONDON, February 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxime Verhagen, Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands, remarks that gas is critical to the fuel mix as we make the complex evolution towards lower-carbon output whilst ensuring economic growth remains unstifled:
"For many decades to come, gas will remain critically important to the energy mix worldwide. In our effort to move to an efficient and low carbon economy, natural gas as the cleanest of fossil fuels is indispensable. The Netherlands aims to contribute to this transition by serving as a gas hub to North-West Europe."
In March, Verhagen will address the major international Gastech Conference & Exhibition (http://www.gastech.co.uk/) Amsterdam RAI, 21-24 March, on this subject, where he and fellow international panel members will examine the role of gas in the future energy mix.
Gas will play key role in low-carbon future energy mix
The latest vision of our global energy future is painted by two of the world's largest hydrocarbon producers - ExxonMobil ( http://www.gastech.co.uk/exhibition/exhibitors/exxonmobil-corporation/) and BP ( http://www.gastech.co.uk/exhibition/exhibitors/bp-oil-international-limited/) - in recent reports that examine our projected energy use by 2030. Robust economic growth, a shift towards greater energy efficiency and moves by governments towards less carbon-intensive fuels will still not be enough to prevent a continued rise in greenhouse gas emissions, according to the forecasts. Our overwhelming dependence will still be on fossil fuels, which will provide around four-fifths of our energy needs, the forecasts claim, with the key focus being on how we generate power for domestic and commercial use. ExxonMobil believes power generation will represent around 55% of all energy demand growth to 2030 and will account for as much as 40 per cent of all total primary energy consumed.
The growth of natural gas in power generation
While demand for natural gas will rise in many sectors, it is the role it will play as an electricity-generating fuel that demands most attention: growth being projected at an average of 2% per year, or just under 50% by 2030. Much of what is being forecast by the two super-majors is based on the assumptions that natural gas has a long-term and abundant future. The revolution in unconventional gas development in the United States, for example, is also expected to spread to other regions around the globe and spur major new plays in a fuel that is regarded by many as the cleanest and least carbon-intensive fossil fuel.
Contact: John Bates, Marketing Manager, +44(0)203-180-6579, [email protected]
SOURCE Gastech 2011
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