BOOM AND BUST COAL 2022

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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• International public financing for new coal plants has effectively ended after G20 countries, specifically China, Japan, and South Korea, pledged to stop such support.
• 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.
• 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.
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and other 'clean coal' technologies are described as expensive and ineffective distractions that prolong fossil fuel dependence.
• 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.

APA

Global Energy Monitor (2022). BOOM AND BUST COAL 2022. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_English_11.pdf

Chicago

Global Energy Monitor. BOOM AND BUST COAL 2022. 2022. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_English_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=BOOM AND BUST COAL 2022 |date=April 2022 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_English_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalenergymonitor2022boom, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{BOOM AND BUST COAL 2022}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2022}, month = apr, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_English_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }