{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"analysis_type":["capacity tracking"]},"warnings":[]},"total":{"value":38,"relation":"eq"},"page":2,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?analysis_type=capacity+tracking&page=2","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"gem-000102","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000102","title":"China’s new coal power spree continues as more provinces jump on the bandwagon","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2023-08","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/CREA_GEM_China-coal-power-briefing-2023H1_08.2023_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"China is experiencing a significant increase in coal power capacity, with 37 GW starting construction and 52 GW permitted in the first half of 2023. The report argues that most of these projects violate central government policies intended to limit coal to a supporting role for renewables, instead serving as bulk power generation. This trend, driven by energy security concerns and a desire to maximize carbon-intensive capacity before the 2030 peaking deadline, risks creating massive overcapacity and undermining China's carbon neutrality goals.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000102#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"China saw a rapid acceleration of coal power activity in the first half of 2023, with construction starting on 37 GW of new capacity, 52 GW permitted, 41 GW announced, and 8 GW of shelved projects revived.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000102#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The current permitting spree contradicts central government policies that mandate coal should only support grid stability and renewable energy integration; instead, most new projects are in provinces already possessing sufficient generating capacity or lacking the necessary wind and solar buildout to justify new coal.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000102#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China's coal power pipeline is expanding rapidly, with 243 GW currently permitted or under construction, potentially rising to 392 GW if announced projects are included. This could increase coal power capacity by 23% to 33% from 2022 levels.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000102#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The surge in coal development is partly driven by a 'climbing to the peak' mentality, where officials and executives view the period before the 2030 CO2 peaking pledge as a window to add carbon-intensive capacity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000102#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a growing redundancy in the power system as western provinces (like Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi) build coal capacity for export, while eastern provinces (like Guangdong and Shandong) build their own coal plants to reduce reliance on imports.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000102#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Guangdong province has specifically backpedaled on clean energy goals, reducing the planned proportion of non-fossil energy in its 2023–25 energy development plan and advising the suspension of some solar and onshore wind projects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000102#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The role of project developers has shifted, with central government-controlled firms now responsible for 45% of newly permitted projects in the first half of 2023, compared to a previous reliance on provincial state-owned enterprises.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000102#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal power","wide area synchronous grid","carbon neutrality","Grid balancing","carbon dioxide emissions","wind power","solar energy","nuclear power","energy security","energy transition"],"geography_discussed":["Jiangsu","Shandong","Hebei","Inner Mongolia","Shaanxi","Gansu","Guangdong","Zhejiang","Anhui","Xinjiang","Hubei","Fujian","Guizhou","Sichuan","Yunnan"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","capacity tracking","projections"]},{"id":"gem-000047","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000047","title":"繁荣与衰落","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"zh","date_published":"2023-04","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023-Chinese_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that while global coal power is generally declining and many existing plants have set retirement dates, China is experiencing a surge in new coal capacity. In 2022, China's new coal construction capacity grew by 38%, accounting for 68% of global construction. Despite this, the report suggests a coal-free future is possible if countries transition from broad commitments to specific plant retirement plans and close financial channels for coal.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000047#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"A significant portion of global coal capacity is now targeted for closure, with nearly one-third of operating units (580 GW) having set retirement dates and only 5% of global capacity remaining outside national closure commitments.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000047#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China's coal power expansion accelerated sharply in 2022, with new construction capacity increasing by 38% (from 266 GW to 366 GW), representing 68% of the world's total under-construction capacity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000047#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In 2022, China approved approximately 100 GW of new coal power projects, which is more than four times the 23 GW approved in 2021, with 50 GW of projects starting construction.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000047#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Outside of China, the trend is toward decline; coal capacity under preparation globally (excluding China) fell below 100 GW for the first time, reaching 96.7 GW in 2022.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000047#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The United States led the world in coal retirements in 2022, decommissioning 13.5 GW of capacity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000047#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Financial support for coal is shifting, with $45.2 billion committed internationally for clean energy transitions, primarily benefiting South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam, though 99 private financial institutions updated policies in 2022, only 12 of which were strong enough to stop financing for new mines or plants.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000047#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal power","energy transition","carbon neutrality","climate finance","greenhouse gas emissions","renewable energy","Paris Agreement"],"geography_discussed":["United States","European Union","India"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["trend analysis","policy assessment","capacity tracking"]},{"id":"gem-000048","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000048","title":"L’ÉTAT DES CENTRALES À CHARBON DU MONDE","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"fr","date_published":"2023-04","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023-French_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that while the 'return of coal' did not materialize globally in 2022, the pace of retirements remains insufficient to meet Paris Agreement targets. China is a major outlier, with its coal capacity in development increasing by 38% in 2022, while capacities in the rest of the world decreased by 20%. In the EU and UK, coal use saw a marginal 1% increase due to the gas crisis, but long-term trends remain downward. In Sub-Saharan Africa, coal projects persist despite funding shortages, though some successful just transition initiatives, such as the Komati plant retirement in South Africa, provide a potential model for the region.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000048#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Global coal capacity retirements are not currently aligned with Paris Agreement goals. To achieve total elimination by 2040, an average of 117 GW must be closed annually, which is 4.5 times the capacity closed in 2022.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000048#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China is significantly expanding its coal capacity while the rest of the world declines. In 2022, China's developing capacities rose by 38% (from 266 GW to 366 GW), whereas the rest of the world saw a 20% decrease (from 214 GW to 172 GW). China now accounts for 68% of global coal power capacity in development.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000048#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The European Union and United Kingdom have largely ceased developing new coal plants, with no plants in pre-construction and only one under construction. Despite a temporary 1% increase in EU coal generation in 2022 due to the gas crisis and the invasion of Ukraine, the long-term trend remains a decline, with approximately 60 GW projected for retirement by 2030.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000048#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In North Africa and the Middle East, coal capacity is declining; no new proposals were made in 2022. Over half of the region's 8.6 GW of coal capacity is scheduled for retirement or replacement by 2026, although some plants in Morocco and Israel have seen extensions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000048#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Sub-Saharan Africa remains at a crossroads with nearly 50 GW of operational capacity and 10 GW in development. While some projects were cancelled in Kenya and Tanzania, others persist, such as the 2.8 GW Sengwa plant in Zimbabwe. South Africa's energy crisis and load shedding have led the government to consider accelerated approval processes for new installations, which may favor coal.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000048#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Private financial support for coal is largely insufficient. While 99 financial institutions updated their coal policies in 2022, only 12 of these commitments are restrictive enough to effectively stop the funding of new mines and power plants.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000048#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","energy transition","Paris Agreement","climate finance","renewable energy","decarbonization","just transition","greenhouse gas emissions"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","European Union","United Kingdom","United States","sub-Saharan Africa","South Africa","Zimbabwe","Morocco","Israel","Kenya","Tanzania","Botswana","Germany","France"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["trend analysis","policy assessment","capacity tracking"]},{"id":"gem-000052","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000052","title":"RASTREAMENTO GLOBAL DAS USINAS DE CARVÃO","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"pt","date_published":"2023-04","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023-Portuguese_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report indicates that while the global coal fleet grew by 19.5 GW in 2022, this was primarily driven by China, which now accounts for 68% of global developing coal capacity. Outside China, new coal proposals have collapsed by 84% since 2015. However, the current pace of decommissioning is insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals, with a required average of 117 GW of annual retirements to achieve a 2040 phase-out. In Latin America, development has slowed significantly, though Argentina recently commissioned the Río Turbio plant and Brazil maintains plans for 1.4 GW of new capacity by 2031, despite current project stalls.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000052#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"China is the primary driver of global coal expansion; its developing capacity increased by 38% (from 266 GW to 366 GW) in 2022, and it now represents 68% of the world's developing coal capacity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000052#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Outside of China, the pipeline for new coal power has seen a massive decline, with proposed capacity falling 84% since 2015, including a 90% reduction in the OECD/EU.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000052#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Current global decommissioning rates are far below what is necessary to meet a 2040 phase-out target, which would require an average of 117 GW of retirements per year—4.5 times the 2022 rate.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000052#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The United States led coal retirements in 2022 with 13.5 GW decommissioned, while the European Union saw a slowdown in retirements (only 2.2 GW) due to the gas crisis and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000052#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In Latin America, coal development has dropped 82% since 2015, with only 1.8 GW in development by the end of 2022. Argentina's Río Turbio plant became the first newly commissioned coal plant in the region since 2019 in November 2022.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000052#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Brazil's 10-year energy expansion plan calls for 1.4 GW of new coal by 2031, but current proposals like the 600 MW Ouro Negro plant have been outcompeted by renewables or stalled by legal decisions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000052#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The G20 controls the vast majority of the world's coal infrastructure, holding 93% of operational capacity (1,926 GW) and 88% of pre-construction capacity (305 GW).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000052#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","energy transition","decarbonization","Paris Agreement","climate finance","climate target","greenhouse gas emissions"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","United States","European Union","India","Latin America","Argentina","Brazil","Chile","Peru","Panama","Colombia","Mexico","Dominican Republic"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["capacity tracking","policy analysis","geographic comparison"]},{"id":"gem-000056","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000056","title":"کوئلے کا عروج و شکست","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"ur","date_published":"2023-04","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023-Urdu_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report highlights a global divergence in coal energy trends: while OECD countries and much of the world outside China are reducing coal capacity and increasing retirements, China is significantly expanding its domestic coal pipeline. The document notes that one-third of global coal capacity has a set phase-out date, yet the overall pace remains insufficient to meet Paris Agreement targets. Specific focus is given to Pakistan, where a shift toward local coal is increasing despite environmental concerns and international pledges.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000056#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Global coal capacity trends show a stark contrast between China and the rest of the world; China's under-construction coal capacity increased by 38% (from 266GW to 366GW) in 2022, while the rest of the world saw a 20% decrease (from 214GW to 172GW).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000056#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Phase-out progress is unevenly distributed: 70% (330GW) of coal energy in OECD countries is moving toward phase-out, compared to only 6% (93GW) of coal capacity outside the OECD being explicitly retired before 2040.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000056#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The proposed 300MW Gwadar plant, funded by Chinese investment, is identified as a violation of China's 2021 pledge to end overseas coal projects and Pakistan's moratorium on new imported coal projects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000056#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","energy transition","Paris Agreement","Coal phase-out","climate finance","greenhouse gas emissions","renewable energy"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","India","Ukraine","Vietnam","Indonesia","South Africa","Gwadar","Tharparkar District"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["capacity tracking","policy assessment"]},{"id":"gem-000180","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000180","title":"中国电⼒和钢铁⾏业仍在投资⾼碳产能 ，或成“双碳”⽬标绊脚⽯","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"zh","date_published":"2022-09","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-steel-and-coal-power-briefing-Sep-2022_CN_Final_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document reports that despite China's climate goals, investment in high-carbon coal power and blast furnace steel capacity remains high. While renewable energy and electric arc furnace (EAF) investments are growing, the continued approval of coal plants and high-emission steel projects creates significant stranded asset risks. The report argues that power shortages in provinces like Sichuan are caused by rigid grid management and fuel costs rather than a lack of capacity, suggesting that further coal expansion is unnecessary if grid reforms are implemented.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000180#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Power shortages in Sichuan during 2022 heatwaves and droughts were not due to a lack of capacity, but rather rigid grid management—where 15 GW of hydropower was exported while the province faced a 13 GW deficit—and high fuel prices that left coal plants unprofitable.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000180#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal power","iron and steel industry","carbon neutrality","stranded asset","renewable energy","solar energy","wind power","grid flexibility","emission trading"],"geography_discussed":["Sichuan","Zhejiang","Fujian"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy assessment","investment analysis","capacity tracking"]},{"id":"gem-000181","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000181","title":"China’s power and steel industries continue to invest in coal-based capacity, complicating carbon goals","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2022-09","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/China-steel-and-coal-power-briefing-Sep-2022_EN_Final_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document finds that while China has seen record clean energy installations and a decline in coal-fired power generation, government permitting for new coal plants and investments in blast furnace capacity accelerated in early 2022. This trend creates a risk of significant stranded assets—estimated at $8.5 billion for power and $15-22 billion for steel—and complicates the economic and political transition to low-carbon energy. The report highlights that power shortages in provinces like Sichuan were driven by rigid grid management and high fuel prices rather than a lack of capacity, and recommends reforming grid operations and including the steel sector in the emissions trading system.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000181#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Government permitting for new coal-fired power plants increased in the first half of 2022, although power companies showed a lower appetite for new projects, construction, and completions due to thermal power generation being loss-making since early 2021.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000181#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Investments in coal-based power and steelmaking capacity in early 2022 are not aligned with carbon goals and risk creating substantial stranded assets: $8.5 billion (CNY 82 billion) for power and $15-22 billion (CNY 100-150 billion) for steel.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000181#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the first half of 2022, 15 GW of new coal-fired power capacity was permitted, and 30 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of new blast furnace capacity was announced, the highest first-half figure since 2019.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000181#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China's power sector saw a significant increase in non-fossil fuel capacity, with total non-fossil installed capacity reaching 1180 GW by the end of June 2022, accounting for 48.2% of the total.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000181#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Electricity shortages in Sichuan and other central provinces during the 2022 heatwaves were exacerbated by rigid grid management, where hydropower was exported to eastern provinces despite local shortfalls, and thermal plants operated below full capacity due to high fuel prices.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000181#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The steel industry continues to rely heavily on the coal-based blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route, with 99% of approved new ironmaking and 71% of approved new steelmaking capacity using this process between 2017 and H1 2022.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000181#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a growing trend toward electric arc furnace (EAF) capacity, with the share of EAF in newly announced steelmaking capacity rising to 57.2% in the first half of 2022.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000181#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","carbon neutrality","stranded asset","renewable energy","solar energy","wind power","hydropower","grid flexibility","emission trading","carbon capture and storage"],"geography_discussed":["Sichuan","Zhejiang","Fujian","Jiangxi","Inner Mongolia","Shaanxi","Guangxi","Hubei"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["investment analysis","policy assessment","capacity tracking"]},{"id":"gem-000088","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000088","title":"BOOM AND BUST COAL 2022","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2022-04","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_English_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The global coal fleet grew by 18.2 GW in 2021, primarily driven by China, which commissioned 25.2 GW of new capacity. While COP26 led to an increase in the number of plants with phase-out dates to 750 (550 GW), a significant gap remains to meet the 1.5C pathway, which would require retiring an additional 1,100 GW. Public financing for new international coal projects has largely ceased following pledges from G20 countries, including China, Japan, and South Korea. However, some nations continue to rely on unproven 'clean coal' technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) to extend plant lifetimes.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"In 2021, the global operating coal fleet increased by 18.2 GW, with China accounting for 56% of the 45 GW of newly commissioned capacity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China's coal expansion is significant, with construction starting on 33 GW of new plants in 2021, nearly three times the amount of the rest of the world combined.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Following COP26, the number of coal plants with effective close-by dates nearly doubled to 750 plants (550 GW), though only 5% of the operating fleet currently lacks a phase-out date or carbon neutrality target.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a substantial gap between current pledges and the 1.5C pathway; an additional 1,100 GW of capacity must be cancelled or retired, including 500 GW in China and 340 GW in the OECD.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"International public financing for new coal plants has effectively ended after G20 countries, specifically China, Japan, and South Korea, pledged to stop such support.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The European Union's 27 member states retired a record 12.9 GW of coal capacity in 2021, with Portugal becoming coal-free in November 2021.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The United States needs to retire an average of 25 GW of coal capacity annually through 2030 to meet climate goals, but retirements declined to an estimated 6.4 GW to 9 GW in 2021.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and other 'clean coal' technologies are described as expensive and ineffective distractions that prolong fossil fuel dependence.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In Southeast and South Asia, pre-construction and construction coal capacity dropped by 17% and 27% respectively in 2021, though significant capacity remains in Indonesia, Vietnam, and India.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000088#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","carbon capture and storage","carbon neutrality","energy transition","climate finance","Paris Agreement","2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference","decarbonization","renewable energy","Cofiring"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","United States","European Union","India","Indonesia","Vietnam","Japan","South Korea","Turkey","Australia","South Africa","Bangladesh","Philippines","Brazil"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["capacity tracking","policy assessment","financial analysis"]},{"id":"gem-000094","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000094","title":"BÙNG NỔ VÀ THOÁI TRÀO 2022","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"vi","date_published":"2022-04","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_Vietnamese_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that while many countries are committing to end new coal power, China continues to expand its capacity, offsetting global declines. In 2021, global operating coal capacity increased by 18.2 GW, largely driven by China, which accounted for 56% of new operational capacity. Despite COP26 commitments, a significant gap remains between current plans and the 1.5°C warming limit, which would require decommissioning an additional 1,100 GW of capacity by 2030. The report also critiques 'clean coal' technologies like CCS as costly and ineffective distractions from renewable energy.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000094#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Global coal power capacity increased by 18.2 GW in 2021, with 45 GW of new capacity coming online and 26.8 GW decommissioning. China was the primary driver, providing 56% of the new operational capacity (25.2 GW).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000094#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China's coal expansion accelerated in 2021, with 33 GW of new plants starting construction—the highest level since 2016 and nearly triple the rest of the world combined. China now accounts for over half of the world's coal capacity under development (55% or 251 GW).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000094#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"International public financing for new coal plants effectively ended in 2021 after Japan, South Korea, and China committed to stop public support for new coal power, following G20 commitments.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000094#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"COP26 led to a surge in coal phase-out commitments, with the number of plants with specific closure dates nearly doubling to 750 plants (550 GW). However, only 5% of current operating capacity (89 GW) is currently outside of either a phase-out or carbon neutrality target.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000094#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a massive gap between current global coal trajectories and the IPCC 1.5°C pathway. To meet this limit, an additional 1,100 GW of capacity must be cancelled or decommissioned: 340 GW in OECD countries, 500 GW in China, and 200 GW elsewhere.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000094#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and other 'clean coal' technologies are described as costly and unreliable distractions. For example, the Petra Nova project in the US shut down in May 2020 due to low oil prices, and Canada's Boundary Dam project faced frequent technical failures in 2021.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000094#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Vietnam has seen rapid coal growth, adding 14.1 GW since 2015 to reach a total operating capacity of 22.7 GW. While it has 20.1 GW of pre-construction capacity, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính committed at COP26 to net-zero by 2050 and to stop building new coal plants.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000094#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The European Union (EU27) achieved record decommissioning in 2021, removing 12.9 GW of capacity, led by Germany (5.8 GW), Portugal (1.9 GW), and Spain (1.7 GW). Portugal became coal-free in November 2021.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000094#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","energy transition","carbon capture and storage","Net-zero emissions","climate finance","renewable energy","carbon neutrality","greenhouse gas emissions"],"geography_discussed":["Vietnam","European Union","United States","India","Japan","South Korea","Germany","Portugal","Spain"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["capacity tracking","policy analysis","financial analysis"]},{"id":"gem-000081","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000081","title":"BOOM AND BUST 2021","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2021-04","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2021_final_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"In 2020, a significant increase in coal plant development in China offset a global retreat from coal, leading to the first increase in global coal capacity since 2015. While China commissioned 38.4 GW of new capacity, the rest of the world saw a decline of 17.2 GW, driven by record retirements in the U.S. and EU27. South and Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam, announced plans to cut up to 62 GW of planned coal power due to falling renewable costs and financing difficulties. Despite these regional shifts, the report finds that global coal capacity remains far above the levels required to meet the IPCC 1.5 degree pathway, with an estimated 1,350 GW needing to be cancelled or retired.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000081#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"China's coal expansion in 2020 reversed a five-year global decline in coal capacity development, with China commissioning 38.4 GW of new plants, which represented 76% of the global total of 50.3 GW.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000081#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Outside of China, the global coal fleet declined by 17.2 GW in 2020, led by retirements in the U.S. (11.3 GW), the EU27 (10.1 GW), and the UK (3.3 GW).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000081#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"South and Southeast Asian countries—specifically Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam—announced plans to cut up to 62.0 GW of planned coal power, reducing their pre-construction pipeline by 80% compared to 2015 levels.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000081#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Coal retirements in the U.S. reached record levels during the Trump administration, with 52.4 GW retired between 2017 and 2020, exceeding the 48.9 GW retired during Obama's second term.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000081#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"India's coal fleet grew by only 0.7 GW in 2020, the lowest increase since 2004, as the country faces low capacity factors and competition from cheaper solar and wind energy.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000081#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Global coal capacity is not aligned with the IPCC 1.5 degree pathway; approximately 1,350 GW of capacity must be cancelled or retired to meet these emission budgets.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000081#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Financial institutions are increasingly restricting coal financing, though 'ratio-based' policies and corporate loans from Chinese and Japanese banks still allow significant funding to flow to coal developers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000081#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the EU27, retirements reached a record 10.1 GW in 2020, with Spain retiring half of its coal fleet (4.8 GW).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000081#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal power","energy transition","climate finance","renewable energy","carbon neutrality","emission intensity","Paris Agreement"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","United States","European Union","India","Indonesia","Vietnam","Philippines","Bangladesh","Japan","South Korea","Turkey","South Africa","Zimbabwe","Egypt","Mexico","Chile","Brazil","Dominican Republic"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["capacity tracking","policy assessment","financial analysis"]},{"id":"gem-000083","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000083","title":"活況と不況 世界の石炭火力発電所の計画追跡","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"ja","date_published":"2021-04","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2021_Japanese_final_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"In 2020, global coal capacity increased by 12.5 GW, driven by China's addition of 38.4 GW, which offset 37.8 GW of closures globally, primarily in the US and EU. While China saw a surge in new plans and construction as economic stimulus, other regions—particularly South and Southeast Asia—experienced significant project cancellations due to funding difficulties and the rise of renewables. The report highlights a widening gap between current global trajectories and the IPCC 1.5°C pathway, noting that substantial further closures are required to meet climate goals.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000083#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Global coal-fired power capacity saw a net increase of 12.5 GW in 2020, as China's new operational capacity of 38.4 GW offset a total of 37.8 GW in global closures.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000083#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","energy transition","carbon neutrality","renewable energy","climate finance","decarbonization","emission intensity","solar energy","wind power"],"geography_discussed":["South Korea"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["capacity tracking","policy analysis","financial analysis"]},{"id":"gem-000074","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000074","title":"Boom and Bust 2020","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2020-03","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2020_English_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that while the global coal fleet grew by 34.1 GW in 2019, this was primarily driven by China, as the fleet outside China shrank for the second consecutive year. Most leading indicators of growth, including construction starts and pre-permit development, continued to decline globally. The report highlights a shift in financing, with Western commercial banks exiting project finance for coal, while Chinese public finance and Indian state-backed institutions continue to support new capacity. Despite these trends, the report argues that coal power use must fall by 80% by 2030 to align with the 1.5C warming limit of the Paris climate agreement.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000074#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The global coal fleet experienced a net increase of 34.1 GW in 2019, marking the first net capacity increase since 2015. This growth was heavily skewed toward China, which accounted for 64% (43.8 GW) of the 68.3 GW of newly commissioned capacity. Conversely, the global coal fleet outside of China shrank for the second year in a row.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000074#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Global coal power utilization reached a record low in 2019, with plants operating at an average of 51% of their available operating hours. This coincided with a 3% global decline in coal power generation compared to 2018, with significant drops in the EU (\u001324%) and the US (\u001316%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000074#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The pipeline for new coal capacity is contracting. Global capacity under construction and in pre-construction development fell from 1,468 GW in 2015 to 499.2 GW in 2019. Construction starts decreased by two-thirds from 72.4 GW in 2015 to 24.3 GW in 2019.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000074#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In China, a permitting boom between 2014 and 2016 led to an increase in plants entering operation in 2019. However, 40% (17.9 GW) of the 43.8 GW commissioned in 2019 were relegated to emergency back-up status, indicating that capacity additions are exceeding demand.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000074#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Coal plant retirements in the US reached their second highest level on record in 2019 at 16.5 GW. Retirements under the Trump administration averaged 13.7 GW per year, a 67% increase compared to the 8.2 GW annual average during the Obama administration.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000074#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Financial support for new coal projects is shifting from private to public sources. No Australian, European, or US commercial banks provided direct project financing for construction starts in 2019. In contrast, the Export-Import Bank of China supported 15% (2.8 GW) of construction starts outside China, and Indian projects relied heavily on state-controlled entities like the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000074#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Japan is the primary driver of new coal power within the OECD. It has 11.9 GW under domestic development and is behind 24.7 GW of coal power abroad via public finance. This domestic development could increase the lifetime CO2 emissions of Japan's existing coal fleet by 50%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000074#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal power","energy transition","climate finance","carbon dioxide emissions","renewable energy","Paris Agreement","Coal phase-out","stranded asset"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","India","United States","European Union","Japan","Turkey","Indonesia","Vietnam","Bangladesh","Pakistan","South Africa","Egypt","OECD"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["trend analysis","capacity tracking","financial analysis"]},{"id":"gem-000076","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000076","title":"活況と不況 2020： 世界の石炭火力発電所の計画の追跡","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"ja","date_published":"2020-03","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2020_Japanese_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that while global coal capacity increased by 34.1 GW in 2019—driven primarily by China—overall planning and construction are declining globally. It highlights a significant shift in the OECD, where the US and EU are accelerating closures, while Japan remains a major supporter of new coal projects both domestically and abroad. The document also notes a critical gap between current trends and the IPCC's requirement to reduce coal power by 80% by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000076#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Global coal-fired power capacity saw a net increase of 34.1 GW in 2019, the first such increase since 2015. This was driven by 68.3 GW of new capacity coming online, with China accounting for nearly two-thirds (43.8 GW) of that total. Excluding China, global coal capacity has decreased for two consecutive years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000076#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Global coal generation decreased by 3% in 2019 compared to 2018, with the average global capacity factor falling to a record low of 51%. This decline was most pronounced in the EU (-24%) and the US (-16%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000076#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","energy transition","climate finance","carbon dioxide emissions","stranded asset","renewable energy"],"geography_discussed":["European Union","India","Bangladesh"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["trend analysis","capacity tracking","financial analysis"]},{"id":"gem-000156","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000156","title":"Out of Step","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2019-11","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Out-of-Step-English-final_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that China is driving the growth of the global coal fleet, adding 42.9 GW between January 2018 and June 2019 while the rest of the world's capacity decreased by 8.1 GW. This growth is largely attributed to a provincial permitting surge between 2014 and 2016, which created a pipeline of projects that the central government has struggled to restrict. Despite a recent slowdown in new proposals and permits, China has 147.7 GW of capacity either under construction or likely to be revived. The report concludes that to keep global warming well below 2°C, China would need to reduce its coal capacity to 600 GW or less by 2030, a target that contradicts industry proposals to increase the national coal power cap to between 1,200 and 1,400 GW by 2035.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000156#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Between January 2018 and June 2019, China increased its coal fleet by 42.9 GW, whereas countries outside of China decreased their total coal power capacity by 8.1 GW, meaning China is effectively driving the overall growth of the global coal fleet.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000156#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China has a significant amount of coal capacity in the pipeline, with 121.3 GW under active construction and an additional 26.4 GW under suspension that are likely to be revived, totaling 147.7 GW.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000156#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The current surplus of coal projects resulted from a permitting surge from September 2014 to March 2016 when provincial authorities were given approval power, leading to a pipeline of 245 GW of new projects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000156#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Central government restrictions imposed in 2017 on 169.5 GW of coal capacity have been largely ineffective; by July 2019, 83.9 GW (49%) of that restricted capacity had advanced in permitting, construction, or commissioning.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000156#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There has been a sharp decline in new coal activity since the 2014-2016 boom, with newly proposed capacity falling by 80% and DRC permits for new construction dropping by 98% between the 2015-16 and 2018-19 periods.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000156#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Industry groups are proposing to raise China's coal power cap from 1,100 GW to between 1,200 and 1,400 GW by 2035, which the report argues is incompatible with the Paris agreement.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000156#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To align with IPCC scenarios for holding warming well below 2°C, China would need to reduce its coal power capacity from 1,027 GW to 600 GW or less by 2030, requiring an average plant retirement age of 17 to 21 years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000156#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal power","energy transition","Paris Agreement","carbon dioxide emissions","climate finance"],"geography_discussed":["United States","European Union","India","Turkey"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","capacity tracking","climate modeling"]},{"id":"gem-000069","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000069","title":"活況と不況 2019 世界の石炭火力発電所の計画の追跡","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"ja","date_published":"2019-03","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2019_Japan_Final-HR2_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that most indicators of coal power expansion declined for three consecutive years as of 2018, driven by financial restrictions and phase-out policies. While China and India saw record lows in new permit applications, China remains a significant exception due to the secret resumption of previously shelved projects and a proposal by the China Electricity Council to raise the 2030 capacity cap to 1,300 GW. Globally, coal plant closures reached near-record levels, led by the United States. The report emphasizes that current operational coal plants already exceed the emissions limits required to meet IPCC targets of limiting warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000069#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Most indicators of coal-fired power expansion declined for three consecutive years by 2018, including a 39% drop in construction starts from 2017 and an 84% drop from 2015.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000069#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","climate finance","greenhouse gas emissions","stranded asset","energy transition"],"geography_discussed":["European Union","United Kingdom","Philippines","Nigeria","Indonesia","Vietnam","Poland"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["trend analysis","capacity tracking"]},{"id":"gem-000070","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000070","title":"Boom and Bust 2019","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2019-03","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2019_r6_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that most indicators of global coal power growth declined in 2018, with significant drops in new construction starts and permits in China and India. While global retirements reached near-record levels, led by the US, China remains a major exception by resuming construction on previously shelved plants and proposing a high coal power cap for 2030. The document argues that current operating coal plants already exceed the limits necessary to meet IPCC global warming targets of 1.5°C or 2°C.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000070#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Most leading indicators of coal power capacity growth declined in 2018, including a 39% drop in new construction starts from 2017 and an 84% drop since 2015.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000070#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Global coal plant retirements continued at a record pace in 2018, making it the third highest year for retirements globally. The US led this trend with 17.6 GW of retired capacity, the second-highest year for the US after 2015.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000070#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China is a major exception to the global decline, having resumed construction on over 50 GW of coal power capacity that was previously postponed. Additionally, the China Electricity Council proposed a 2030 coal power cap of 1,300 GW, which would allow for an increase of 290 GW over current levels.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000070#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"India has seen a significant slowdown in coal permitting, with less than 3 GW permitted for construction in 2018. For the second consecutive year, India added more solar and wind power capacity than thermal power capacity in 2018.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000070#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The pre-construction pipeline for coal power has fallen nearly 70% since 2015, dropping from 1,090 GW to 339 GW in 2018. This decline was most rapid in China and India, though offset slightly by Chinese-financed proposals in Russia, Egypt, South Africa, and Bangladesh.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000070#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Emissions from currently operating coal plants, based on average utilization and lifetime, are already too high to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C according to IPCC estimates.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000070#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal power","Coal phase-out","climate finance","solar energy","wind power","greenhouse gas emissions","carbon capture and storage","energy transition"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","India","United States","European Union","United Kingdom","Germany","Japan","South Korea","Russia","Egypt","South Africa","Bangladesh","Philippines","Nigeria","Indonesia","Vietnam","Poland"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["trend analysis","capacity tracking"]},{"id":"gem-000158","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000158","title":"รุ่งเรืองและร่วงโรย การติดตามแผนการสร้างโรงไฟฟ้าถ่านหินทั่วโลก ปี 2562","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"report","language":"th","date_published":"2019-03","source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/ThaiBoomBust2019_11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds a general global decline in coal power growth, with significant drops in approvals and planning since 2015. While the US leads in record retirements, China shows a contradictory trend: despite a drop in new approvals, it has resumed construction on previously delayed projects and proposed increasing its national coal capacity ceiling to 1,300 GW by 2030. India is also seeing a decline in coal approvals as solar and wind energy become more cost-competitive. The report emphasizes that current coal capacity exceeds IPCC limits for 1.5°C and 2°C warming targets.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000158#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Global indicators for coal power growth declined across almost all metrics in 2018, including the start of construction, planning phases, and completions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000158#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The capacity of coal plants in the pre-construction phase has dropped by nearly 70% since 2015, falling from 1,090 GW to 339 GW in 2018.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000158#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Coal plant retirements reached a record high in 2018, with the United States leading the trend by retiring 17.6 GW of capacity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000158#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"India's coal approvals have hit record lows, with less than 3 GW approved in 2018, as the country increasingly prioritizes wind and solar energy over coal.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000158#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Current global coal power capacity, if operated at average rates for their full lifespan, exceeds the IPCC's estimated limits for keeping global temperature rises below 1.5°C or 2°C.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000158#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power station","energy transition","climate finance","renewable energy","solar energy","wind power","carbon capture and storage","greenhouse gas emissions"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","India","United States","European Union","Japan","South Korea","Thailand","Indonesia","Vietnam","Turkey","United Kingdom"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["trend analysis","capacity tracking"]},{"id":"gem-000110","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/gem-000110","title":"Draft 2 - China Briefing Draft - 18/06/26","publisher":{"name":"Global Energy Monitor","organization":"global-energy-monitor"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/2026-07/GEM%20China%20Wind%20%26%20Solar%20brief%20July%202026.pdf.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"China is leading global utility-scale solar and wind expansion, with a massive pipeline of prospective capacity concentrated in six northwestern and northern provinces. However, the 'megabase' strategy faces significant hurdles, including rising curtailment and a transmission network that remains heavily reliant on coal. While the growth of green hydrogen and standalone battery storage offers a path toward local industrial decarbonization, there is a risk that these renewables will merely supplement rather than replace coal-based industries. The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) continues renewable growth but maintains a role for fossil fuels, suggesting that transmission and market flexibility remain the primary bottlenecks for a full transition.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000110#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"China possesses a massive pipeline of prospective utility-scale renewable energy, with 664 GW of solar and 698 GW of wind capacity as of June 2026. This includes over 500 GW already under construction.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000110#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Renewable deployment is highly concentrated in six northwestern and northern regions—Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Shaanxi—which hold 714 GW, representing over half of the national pipeline.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000110#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Despite record additions in 2025, the system is experiencing rising curtailment, particularly for solar in Qinghai, Xinjiang, and Gansu, where rates reached 10–17% in 2025.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000110#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission network remains coal-dependent; wind and solar account for only about 20% of transmitted electricity, while coal accounts for 42%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000110#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"China is expanding green hydrogen production to enable local industrial use of megabase power, with over 10 GW of operating wind and solar capacity dedicated to it and another 53 GW in development.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000110#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a risk of 'coal lock-in' where renewables are used as a marginal feedstock for coal-to-chemicals projects to secure regulatory approval without significantly reducing coal use, as seen in Baofeng Energy's project where renewables reduce coal consumption by only 2.2%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000110#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) sets a target of 300 GW of new-type energy storage by 2030 and 2 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production, but its target to increase northwest-to-east transmission capacity to 420 GW is considered conservative.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"gem-000110#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["wind power","green hydrogen","energy storage","decarbonization"],"geography_discussed":["Xinjiang","Inner Mongolia","Gansu","Qinghai","Ningxia","Shaanxi","Brazil","Germany","India","United States","Australia","Spain"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy assessment","infrastructure analysis","capacity tracking"]}]}