Global coal output is at its lowest, in 20 years, as 44 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity came online in 2024.
This is according to BeyondFossilFuels.org
The organisation said last week, the “Boom and Bust Coal” report, prepared by the Global Energy Monitor, is evidence of a decline of the most polluting fossil fuel.
The decline is despite about 44 Gigawatts (GW)of new coal power capacity added in 2024.
About 25.2 GW of capacity was retired. As a result, the global coal fleet grew by less than 1% in 2024, with a net increase of only 18.8 GW.
The fourfold increase in coal retirements in the European Union played a significant role in this decline.
Christine Shearer, Project Manager of Global Energy Monitor’s Global Coal Plant Tracker, said“coal power set records last year, but not the kind the industry would want to see. The past year was a preview of what coal will face in the future as the clean energy transition moves full speed ahead. However, efforts are still needed—especially in the world’s wealthiest countries—to ensure coal is phased out in line with the Paris Agreement.”
A report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) expects global coal demand to reach around 8.87 billion tonnes by 2027.
Top 5 coal producing countries in the world, according to Statista are China, India, Indonesia, United States and Australia.
The market faces multiple challenges, globally, including environmental issues related to land degradation, water pollution and carbon emissions, occupational health and safety risks and accidents.