Prospects of Coal Exploitation against the Liberalization of European Gas and Electricity Markets

Europe is now being held responsible for the energetic defiance demonstrated by an increase of the global energy demand against meeting this demand especially by using fossil fuels (coal), oil and natural gas. The alarming pollutant effect of coal consumption, high oil prices and the EU dependence on the import of oil are just a few of the challenges for which the setting up of a common efficient and competitive European energetic market should provide solutions. The liberalization of energetic and gas markets through which the Union’s consumers would benefit by reduced and more transparent prices, by more rights, by protection against the uncertainty/instability of energetic supplies and against disloyal commercial practices stands as an example in this respect. Comparing all the advantages and disadvantages generated by the use of coal as the main raw material in the combination of resources necessary to meet the energy demand at European level, it is easy we can reach the conclusion that coal will remain a future safety factor for the energy supplies, and due to its availability, negotiable prices and the implementation of technologies which reduce green gas emissions, the growing dependence on oil and gas imports from unstable third countries can be limited even though the liberalization of energy and gas markets would bring forth lower and more transparent prices for the other competitive resources like oil and natural gas.