A study of recent recessions shows energy demand jumping as the economy improves. Mr Bryan Hawthorne manager of Project Development Business 8c Technology Services for Burns 8c McDonnell said that the same could occur at the end of this recession.

Mr Hawthorne at the company's 10th annual Coal Fired Symposium in May said that data from the last three recessions 1981, 1991 and 2001 show that energy demand growing 8.5% on average over the five years following a recession's end.

He added that “Assuming the trend holds this time, some 350 TWh of new capacity would be needed. Some, but not all new capacity likely will come from wind and natural gas projects. New nuclear is unlikely to be a factor in the next five years. That means coal should remain in the mix for new base load capacity. Given the time needed to permit and build a new coal plant, work should begin now to ensure enough base load capacity is available. Additional investment should also be made to optimize existing coal plants.”

(Sourced from PennWell Corporation)