Summary
This report by Global Energy Monitor and partners analyzes global coal-fired power plant development in 2020, highlighting a significant surge in China that offset retirements in other regions. While the US, EU, and several Southeast Asian nations reduced their coal capacity or planning, China's increased activity led to the first growth in global coal capacity since 2015.
Key insights
- China experienced a surge in coal power planning and construction starting in March 2020, used by provinces to stimulate the economy following COVID-19 slowdowns. This was supported by the central government relaxing approval restrictions and increasing loans for large projects.
- India's coal capacity growth has slowed significantly, with a net increase of only 0.7 GW in 2020, the lowest level since 2004. Planned new coal capacity dropped nearly 90% from 238.2 GW in 2015 to 29.3 GW in 2020.
- Global financial institutions are increasingly restricting coal financing, with 73 new restriction policies announced in 2020. However, significant debt financing (nearly $500 billion in the first three quarters of 2020) still flows to coal developers, primarily via Chinese and Japanese banks.
Cite the original document
- APA
- Global Energy Monitor (2021). 繁荣与衰落. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2021_Chinese_final_11.pdf
- Chicago
- Global Energy Monitor. 繁荣与衰落. 2021. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2021_Chinese_final_11.pdf.
- Wikipedia
- {{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=繁荣与衰落 |date=April 2021 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2021_Chinese_final_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}
- BibTeX
- @techreport{globalenergymonitor2021, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{繁荣与衰落}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBust_2021_Chinese_final_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }
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