popular articles

New coal-fired power plant additions fall to 20-year low

New coal-fired electricity capacity added in 2024 dropped to 44 GW, driven mainly by China and India, according to a report released on Thursday.

Please share:

Global growth in new coal-fired electricity generation capacity reached its lowest level in two decades in 2024, according to a report released on April 3 by a collective of researchers and non-governmental organisations, including Global Energy Monitor and E3G. The annual increase amounted to 44 gigawatts (GW) last year, down from 72 GW in 2023, and far below the 2015 peak of 107 GW.

More than one-third of the world’s electricity is still generated from coal, despite efforts by several countries to phase out this energy source. The United Kingdom, for example, ended coal-fired electricity generation by shutting down its last plant in 2023. Nevertheless, momentum remains strong in Asia, particularly in China and India, which now account for the majority of new projects. Both countries began construction on more coal-fired plants in 2024 than in any previous year.

Regional concentration of new projects

The report shows that only eight countries initiated new coal plant projects in 2024. Among them, China and India dominate, reinforcing their role in global demand. China alone consumes one-third of the world’s coal and continues to expand its coal sector despite record growth in renewables.

However, the number of newly approved coal power plant permits in China has fallen to a three-year low, suggesting a potential shift in expansion strategy. Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have reduced new projects, while Vietnam has committed to exiting coal.

Diverging trends between Asia and the West

The report notes that Japan and South Korea are promoting technologies aimed at decarbonising coal combustion, notably through ammonia co-firing. These methods, according to the report’s authors, are costly and unlikely to deliver the significant emissions reductions required at scale. The document does not assess their long-term economic viability.

In the United States, newly elected President Donald Trump has approved the restart of coal-fired plants. However, the report’s analysts recall that his first term already illustrated the challenges of reversing coal’s decline, primarily due to the ageing infrastructure of the national coal fleet.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

A satellite analysis led by Ember and Kayrros shows that methane emissions from Australian mines are 40% higher than official reports, revealing significant gaps in the current coal sector monitoring.
Donald Trump issues several executive orders aimed at reducing regulations on the U.S. coal industry, addressing economic expectations from coal-producing states while securing national energy supply.
Donald Trump issues several executive orders aimed at reducing regulations on the U.S. coal industry, addressing economic expectations from coal-producing states while securing national energy supply.
Backed by Chinese funding, Zambia and Zimbabwe are reviving coal projects in contrast to international energy sector trends.
Backed by Chinese funding, Zambia and Zimbabwe are reviving coal projects in contrast to international energy sector trends.
Finnish energy company Helen has halted operations at the Salmisaari plant, the country’s last coal facility, halving its carbon dioxide emissions in one year.
Finnish energy company Helen has halted operations at the Salmisaari plant, the country’s last coal facility, halving its carbon dioxide emissions in one year.
An independent study suggests that the Hail Creek mine may emit up to eight times more methane than reported in Glencore's official disclosures.
Eskom has connected Unit 6 of the Kusile coal-fired power station, adding 800 MW to the national grid amid efforts to stabilise electricity supply in South Africa.
Eskom has connected Unit 6 of the Kusile coal-fired power station, adding 800 MW to the national grid amid efforts to stabilise electricity supply in South Africa.
The Indian government presents a project to create a coal exchange for the domestic market, a measure aimed at improving transparency and regulating the local coal market.
The Indian government presents a project to create a coal exchange for the domestic market, a measure aimed at improving transparency and regulating the local coal market.
The United States has announced its withdrawal from the Just Energy Transition Partnership with South Africa, thereby reducing the country’s international financial commitments in its gradual exit from coal.
The United States has announced its withdrawal from the Just Energy Transition Partnership with South Africa, thereby reducing the country’s international financial commitments in its gradual exit from coal.
Indonesia sets a floor price for coal to strengthen its control over domestic prices and influence international markets. This new strategy will take effect on March 1, 2025.
Indonesia continues to strengthen its dependence on coal, jeopardizing its greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments. This paradox is highlighted in a recent report, emphasizing the tension between environmental goals and economic realities.
Indonesia continues to strengthen its dependence on coal, jeopardizing its greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments. This paradox is highlighted in a recent report, emphasizing the tension between environmental goals and economic realities.
Australian mining giant BHP saw its net profit multiply fivefold, reaching $4.4 billion, despite an 8% drop in revenue. Sustained demand and signs of recovery in China strengthen its outlook.
Australian mining giant BHP saw its net profit multiply fivefold, reaching $4.4 billion, despite an 8% drop in revenue. Sustained demand and signs of recovery in China strengthen its outlook.
In 2024, China began building new coal power plants, a decision that threatens its goal of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030, according to a report published by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) and Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
In 2024, China began building new coal power plants, a decision that threatens its goal of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030, according to a report published by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) and Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
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.
In the midst of prolonged tensions with Russia, Ukraine offers to provide free coal to Transnistria, a pro-Russian region of Moldova, to alleviate an energy crisis worsened by the cutoff of Russian gas supplies.
In the midst of prolonged tensions with Russia, Ukraine offers to provide free coal to Transnistria, a pro-Russian region of Moldova, to alleviate an energy crisis worsened by the cutoff of Russian gas supplies.
The Pokrovsk mine, Ukraine's sole coke producer, closes under Russian military pressure. This decision threatens the steel industry, the economy, and Ukraine's strategic logistics.
The Pokrovsk mine, Ukraine's sole coke producer, closes under Russian military pressure. This decision threatens the steel industry, the economy, and Ukraine's strategic logistics.
As coal reaches a historic peak in 2024, renewable energy reshapes global dynamics. In China, where one-third of the world’s coal is consumed, the energy transition remains a pivotal factor for the sector's future.
As coal reaches a historic peak in 2024, renewable energy reshapes global dynamics. In China, where one-third of the world’s coal is consumed, the energy transition remains a pivotal factor for the sector's future.
China confirms its central role in the Asian coal market with a forecast of 330 million tons of coal imports in 2025, according to an Australian report.
Australia revises its metallurgical coal export forecast to reach 163 million tons for the 2024-25 fiscal year. However, revenues are expected to decline due to falling global market prices.
Australia revises its metallurgical coal export forecast to reach 163 million tons for the 2024-25 fiscal year. However, revenues are expected to decline due to falling global market prices.
Global coal demand peaked at 8.77 billion tons in 2024. Thanks to the rise of renewable energy, it is expected to stabilize by 2027, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Global coal demand peaked at 8.77 billion tons in 2024. Thanks to the rise of renewable energy, it is expected to stabilize by 2027, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
In China, Harbin Electric Corporation inaugurates a 660 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired CFB boiler, blending technological innovation and ecological management. A project that raises questions as coal declines globally.
In China, Harbin Electric Corporation inaugurates a 660 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired CFB boiler, blending technological innovation and ecological management. A project that raises questions as coal declines globally.
President Prabowo Subianto commits to eliminating coal power plants by 2040, marking an unprecedented ambition. This radical shift poses significant technical and financial challenges as the country remains heavily reliant on coal.
Bosnia faces the coal challenge between dependence and environmental pressures
Bosnia faces the coal challenge between dependence and environmental pressures
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is expected to reach its peak coal consumption by 2025, according to a recent report. This represents a key step toward energy transition despite the challenges of a rapidly growing economy.
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is expected to reach its peak coal consumption by 2025, according to a recent report. This represents a key step toward energy transition despite the challenges of a rapidly growing economy.
The British mining giant Anglo American sells its steelmaking coal mines in Australia to Peabody Energy for $3.775 billion, marking its strategic withdrawal from this sector.
The British mining giant Anglo American sells its steelmaking coal mines in Australia to Peabody Energy for $3.775 billion, marking its strategic withdrawal from this sector.

Advertising