- Global coal power expansion fell to 44 GW in 2024—the lowest level in 20 years.
- China and India led the construction of new coal plants, while Southeast Asia scaled back.
- The report urges faster coal phase-outs to meet global climate targets.
Global coal-fired electricity expansion slowed sharply in 2024. A new report shows that countries added only 44 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity last year. This marks the smallest annual increase in the previous two decades.
A coalition of researchers and non-governmental organisations, including Global Energy Monitor and E3G, released the report on April 3. In 2023, countries built 72 GW of coal power. In 2015, coal expansion reached its peak at 107 GW.
Coal still supplies over one-third of the world’s electricity, but many countries are continuing efforts to phase it out. The United Kingdom closed its last coal plant in 2023, ending coal-based electricity there.
However, several Asian nations continue to grow their coal sectors. China and India led the global surge in new coal construction in 2024. Both countries started more coal plants last year than in any previous year.
Only eight countries launched new coal projects in 2024. China and India led that group. China alone consumes one-third of the world’s coal. The country continues to build coal plants, even while scaling up renewable energy.
China’s energy regulators reduced the number of new coal plant permits to a three-year low. This may signal a change in strategy and a future decline in coal project approvals.
Other Asian countries have shifted away from coal. Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines slowed their coal development. Vietnam committed to phasing out coal altogether.
Japan and South Korea support technologies that reduce coal emissions. They promote ammonia co-firing in coal plants, which aims to cut emissions without shutting down existing facilities. However, the report warns that these technologies cost too much and may not scale effectively.
The authors urge countries to avoid relying on costly solutions that delay clean energy transitions. They argue that these approaches will not deliver the deep emissions cuts needed to meet climate targets.
President Donald Trump approved the restart of several coal-fired power plants in the United States after taking office in 2025. During his first term, he also tried to revive the coal industry. However, his efforts faced obstacles from old infrastructure and competition from renewables.
The coal share in U.S. electricity generation continues to shrink. Wind, solar, and natural gas outperform coal in cost and efficiency.
The report highlights a broader global trend. While China and India still expand coal power, other regions scale back or shift focus. The drop in new capacity suggests declining interest in coal investment.
Analysts see signs of a global turning point. Clean energy targets and climate policies now drive power planning in many countries, and governments that still back coal face growing pressure to shift direction.
The report calls for more decisive global action against coal power. It stresses that delay could undermine efforts to meet climate goals.