Summary
In 2023, global coal capacity reached a record 2130 GW, driven largely by China, despite a decline in new construction starts outside China. While 101 countries have committed to avoiding new coal, significant pre-construction pipelines remain in China and India. Central Asia is identified as a region moving against the global trend, with proposed coal capacity reaching 45% of its current operational capacity, led by Kazakhstan.
Key insights
- Global coal capacity increased by 48.4 GW (2%) in 2023 to reach a record total of 2130 GW, with China accounting for two-thirds of this growth.
- New coal construction starts have reached a record low since 2015 outside of China, whereas China's new construction has grown for four consecutive years, reaching an eight-year peak.
- A significant gap exists between current capacity and climate goals: only 15% (317 GW) of global operational coal capacity is committed for decommissioning to align with the 1.5°C warming threshold.
- Central Asia is expanding its coal ambitions, with proposed capacity in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan equaling 45% of the region's current operational capacity.
- Kazakhstan proposed 4.6 GW of new coal capacity in 2023, making it the third largest globally for new proposals after China and India, despite having a carbon neutrality strategy adopted in February 2023.
- Central Asia's existing coal fleet is severely aged, with 61% (10.2 GW of 16.8 GW) operating for over 40 years; a 2023 audit of Kazakh plants showed an average wear level of 66%.
- India saw a surge in new coal proposals in 2023, adding 11.4 GW of entirely new projects, the highest annual increase since 2016.
Cite the original document
- APA
- Global Energy Monitor (2024). Бум и Крах Угля. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2024-Russian_11.pdf
- Chicago
- Global Energy Monitor. Бум и Крах Угля. 2024. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2024-Russian_11.pdf.
- Wikipedia
- {{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=Бум и Крах Угля |date=April 2024 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2024-Russian_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}
- BibTeX
- @techreport{globalenergymonitor2024, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{Бум и Крах Угля}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2024}, month = apr, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Boom-Bust-Coal-2024-Russian_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }
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