Summary
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.
Key insights
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The United States led the world in coal retirements in 2022, decommissioning 13.5 GW of capacity.
- 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.
Cite the original document
- APA
- Global Energy Monitor (2023). 繁荣与衰落. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023-Chinese_11.pdf
- Chicago
- Global Energy Monitor. 繁荣与衰落. 2023. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023-Chinese_11.pdf.
- Wikipedia
- {{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=繁荣与衰落 |date=April 2023 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023-Chinese_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}
- BibTeX
- @techreport{globalenergymonitor2023, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{繁荣与衰落}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2023}, month = apr, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2023-Chinese_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }
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