Global Energy Monitor released their report on Energy –China Dominates Coal
Global Energy Monitor Report: Global Energy Monitor (GEM), a non-profit organisation in their report on coal utilisation said in their report that most of the new coal plants starting to be built in 2023 are in China, accounting for over 95% of the total capacity of world conservation. Currently, there are plans for 131 coal projects in 32 countries outside China, totalling 110 gigawatts (GW) of coal power capacity, where India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia had 83% of the total capacity.
Global Energy Monitor Report
Global Energy Monitor
About Global Energy Monitor (GEM)
Global Energy Monitor (GEM) is a non-governmental organization headquartered in San Francisco, California. It specializes in fossil fuel and renewable energy projects worldwide. GEM plays a crucial role in providing information and analysis to support the transition to clean energy. Its data and reports on energy trends are highly respected and widely cited by governments, media outlets, and academic researchers globally.
Global Energy Monitor (GEM) Report Highlights:
The Global Energy Monitor (GEM) Report provides comprehensive insights into the global coal landscape, highlighting key trends, challenges, and developments in the coal industry. Here’s a breakdown of the report’s key points:
- Global Operating Coal Capacity Growth: Despite ongoing efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources, global operating coal capacity saw a 2% growth in 2023. China was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for two-thirds of new additions.
- Net Increase in Coal Power Capacity: In 2023, 69.5 GW of coal power capacity was commissioned globally, while 21.1 GW was retired. This resulted in a net increase of 48.4 GW for the year, with the global total capacity reaching 2,130 GW.
- Accelerated Growth in China: China witnessed a surge in new coal plants, adding 47.4 GW of capacity, the highest annual increase since 2015. This surge offset declines in coal capacity observed elsewhere.
- The decline in Construction Starts Outside China: Construction starts for new coal projects outside China hit a record low in 2023, declining for the second consecutive year. Only a few countries initiated new coal projects, signalling a global shift away from coal.
- Concentration of Coal Capacity: China and India remain the dominant players in the global coal market, accounting for 82% of the total pre-construction capacity worldwide. Despite declining coal capacity in other regions, growth in China and India contributed to an overall increase in global pre-construction capacity.
- Transition Away from Coal: Several countries have made commitments to phase out coal power, with retirements or conversions of coal plants observed in Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates. However, global coal power capacity has continued to rise, driven primarily by increases in China and other Asian countries.
- Need for Accelerated Phaseout: To align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, countries must accelerate the phaseout of coal power generation. Only a small percentage of global coal capacity currently has commitments for retirement in line with climate goals, highlighting the need for urgent action to reduce coal dependency and transition to cleaner energy sources.
What is Global Energy Monitor?
Global Energy Monitor (GEM) is a non-governmental organization headquartered in San Francisco, California. It specializes in fossil fuel and renewable energy projects worldwide. GEM plays a crucial role in providing information and analysis to support the transition to clean energy
What is the key finding of the GEM Report regarding global coal capacity growth in 2023?
Despite efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources, global operating coal capacity grew by 2% in 2023, primarily driven by China
How did China contribute to the increase in coal capacity in 2023?
China added 47.4 GW of new coal capacity, accounting for approximately two-thirds of global additions, marking the highest annual increase since 2015.
