SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Historic Reduction of Coal Share in Australia’s Energy Mix by End of 2024

By the end of 2024, coal's share in Australia's electricity generation dropped below 50%, a historic first, thanks to the surge in solar energy production.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

In Australia, the reliance on coal for electricity generation reached its lowest point in the fourth quarter of 2024, falling below 50% of the national energy mix. This significant shift is attributed to a substantial increase in solar energy production, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). This change marks a turning point in the country’s energy sector, which remains one of the world’s largest exporters of coal.

Solar Energy Growth

Electricity production from rooftop solar panels increased by 18% between October and December 2024, while solar farms saw a 9% rise, reaching record levels. As a result, renewable energy provided nearly 46% of Australia’s electricity for this quarter. A notable peak occurred on November 6, 2024, when renewable energy reached 75.6% of the national energy mix.

Challenges in the Energy Transition

Australia has committed to achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, despite significant progress in renewable energy share, the country remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, especially for electricity generation. In parallel, the Australian government announced an additional funding of 1.2 billion euros for its “green bank,” aimed at accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

Impact on Energy Prices

The gradual closure of coal plants and the increasing share of renewable energy have also affected electricity prices. In 2024, wholesale electricity prices surged by 83%, primarily due to the decline in coal-based electricity production and transmission constraints. Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, emphasized the need for new transport infrastructure to keep prices low and ensure access to cheaper energy.

Global Context

Globally, coal continues to account for about a third of the total electricity production, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Coal demand reached a record level in 2022. However, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the IEA suggests that coal-based electricity production without emission capture must cease by 2040.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
GreenIT secures €370 million financing for onshore wind projects
Italian judge approves extradition of Ukrainian linked to Nord Stream sabotage
Nexans installs record-breaking 2,150-metre deep power cable in Italy
MCF Energy reaches 3,310 metres on the Kinsau-1A well in Germany
Global solar photovoltaic installers market to reach $651bn by 2030
Australian coal exposes global steelmakers to hidden climate risk
Underreported methane emissions from Australian mines could increase steelmakers’ carbon footprint by up to 15%, according to new analysis highlighting major gaps in global supply chains.
Russia targets 30 million tons of coal transported via Pacific Railway by 2026
The new Russian railway line linking the Elga mine to the Sea of Okhotsk port will reach full capacity in 2026, after an operational testing phase scheduled for 2025.
Romania negotiates with Brussels to extend coal plants until 2031
The Romanian government is asking the European Union for a five-year delay on the closure of 2.6 gigawatts of coal capacity, citing delays in bringing gas and solar alternatives online.
Colombia: Petro blocks coal to Israel in a political showdown
President Gustavo Petro bans all coal exports to Israel, a decision with minor energy effects but strong diplomatic weight, illustrating his anti-Americanism and attempts to reshape Colombia’s domestic politics.
India diversifies coking coal purchases, Australia retreats
India’s coking coal imports are rising and increasingly split between the United States and Russia, while Australian producers redirect volumes to China; 2025 results confirm a shift in trade flows.
China: 25 GW of coal approved in H1 2025, commissioning surges
China approved 25 GW in H1 2025 and commissioned 21 GW; the annual total could exceed 80 GW. Proposals reached 75 GW and coal’s share fell to 51% in June, amid declining imports.
Vitol and Breakwall finance $150M to support a metallurgical coal mine
Valor Mining Credit Partners completes its first major financing with a secured loan to strengthen the operational capacity of a U.S. mining site.
The U.S. Department of Energy Extends Operations of a Coal Plant in the Midwest
Amid tensions on the Midwest power grid, Washington orders the continued operation of the J.H. Campbell plant to secure electricity supply over the coming months.
Peabody cancels its $3.78 billion bid for Anglo’s coal mines
Peabody Energy abandons the acquisition of Anglo American’s Australian coal assets, triggering an arbitration process following the failure of a post-incident agreement at the Moranbah North mine.
Core Natural Resources reports USD220.2mn in cash flow and adjusts its financial policy
Core Natural Resources announces USD220.2mn in operating cash flow for the second quarter of 2025, while revising its capital return strategy and increasing post-merger synergies.
Global demand could extend coal’s role beyond 2030
A report by Wood Mackenzie reveals that geopolitical pressures and rising global electricity demand could keep coal-fired generation elevated well beyond current forecasts.
Ramaco opens first US rare earth mine in 70 years
Ramaco Resources officially opens in the United States the first mine dedicated to rare earths in seven decades, also inaugurating Wyoming's first new coal mining operation in over half a century during a ceremony attended by senior political officials.
Turkey’s Eren Energi seeks 375,000 tonnes of thermal coal before December
Turkish power producer Eren Energi Elektrik Uretim has launched a tender to buy 375,000 tonnes of thermal coal to be delivered in five shipments starting from August 2025, according to a document seen by Platts on June 27.
Ireland exits coal permanently with closure of Moneypoint power plant
Ireland ends four decades of coal-based electricity production by converting its Moneypoint power plant to heavy fuel oil, now exclusively reserved for the balancing market until 2029.
Duke Energy considers sale of coal units at Cayuga in Indiana
Duke Energy Indiana will launch a technical study to evaluate the potential sale of its coal units at the Cayuga site following the planned commissioning of new natural gas plants in 2029 and 2030.
China’s Coal Imports Fall by 18%, Affected by Low Domestic Prices
China's coal imports dropped 18% in May, driven by historically low domestic prices and significant growth in national production, shifting the country's energy market dynamics.
India’s coal-fired electricity generation drops 9.5% in May, steepest decline in five years
India’s unprecedented drop in power demand led to a sharp decline in coal-based generation in May, while renewable energy output reached a record high.
China approves 11.29 GW of coal in Q1 despite unprecedented decline in 2024
Greenpeace data shows a renewed wave of coal projects in early 2025, as renewable capacity surpasses thermal energy for the first time.
Coal Lawsuit: BlackRock Warns on U.S. Energy Independence
Financial giant BlackRock highlights economic and strategic risks linked to an antitrust procedure backed by Washington, targeting major asset managers accused of conspiring to reduce coal production in the United States.
Adani Power invests $2bn in a 1,500 MW coal power plant in Uttar Pradesh
Adani Power will supply 1,500 MW to Uttar Pradesh through an ultra-supercritical coal power plant built under the DBFOO model, at a tariff of Rs 5.383 per unit.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.