GRANDEUR ET DÉCADENCE 2022

This report by Global Energy Monitor and partners analyzes the global state of coal-fired power plants as of April 2022. It highlights a stark divergence between the decline of coal in most OECD and non-OECD countries—accelerated by COP26 commitments—and a continued expansion of coal capacity in China. The document examines the impact of international funding withdrawals, the perceived failure of 'clean coal' technologies, and specific national trajectories in major emitters like India, Indonesia, and the United States.

• As of April 2022, the global coal fleet consists of over 2,400 operational plants across 79 countries, totaling nearly 2,100 GW of capacity. An additional 176 GW is under construction in over 189 plants, and 280 GW is planned across 296 plants.
• China is the primary driver of global coal capacity growth, accounting for 56% of new capacity commissioned in 2021 (25.2 GW) and 52% of the global capacity currently under construction. In 2021, China began construction on 33 GW of new plants, nearly three times the total for the rest of the world.
• Following COP26 and preparatory work, the number of coal plants with announced closure dates nearly doubled to 750 plants (550 GW). Only 170 plants (89 GW), or 5% of the current operational fleet, are not covered by a phase-out date or a carbon neutrality goal.
• Public international financing for new coal plants has largely ceased following commitments from the G20 and specific pledges from China, Japan, and South Korea. China's pledge to stop building new coal plants abroad could potentially lead to the cancellation of 56 plants totaling 52.8 GW of capacity.
• The report characterizes 'clean coal' technologies, such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), as a 'costly and uncertain distraction.' It cites the failure of the Petra Nova project in the US and the Boundary Dam project in Canada as evidence of technical and economic unviability, noting that CCS costs are significantly higher than renewable alternatives.
• In the United States, coal retirements slowed in 2021, with estimated closures between 6.4 GW and 9 GW, down from 16.1 GW in 2019. To meet climate goals, the US would need to retire an average of 25 GW annually until 2030.
• The European Union (EU27) saw a record 12.9 GW of coal capacity closed in 2021, led by Germany (5.8 GW), Portugal (1.9 GW), and Spain (1.7 GW). Portugal became coal-free in November 2021, nine years ahead of its 2030 target.
• In Southeast Asia, coal projects are declining but remain significant in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos. Indonesia has 15.4 GW under construction and 10.8 GW in pre-construction, though it pledged to stop new coal projects after 2023 and retire 9.2 GW by 2030 with international support.
• India has the largest operational coal capacity after China. While pre-construction projects fell by nearly 90% between 2015 and 2021 (from 238.6 GW to 23.8 GW), the country added a net 5.1 GW of capacity in 2021 due to a post-Covid rebound.
• In South America, coal development has declined by 70% since 2015. While Brazil and Mexico have seen pro-coal political pressure, Chile has a plan to close all coal plants by 2040, and Colombia has abandoned its pre-construction projects.

APA

Global Energy Monitor (2022). GRANDEUR ET DÉCADENCE 2022. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_French_11.pdf

Chicago

Global Energy Monitor. GRANDEUR ET DÉCADENCE 2022. 2022. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_French_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=GRANDEUR ET DÉCADENCE 2022 |date=April 2022 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_French_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalenergymonitor2022grandeur, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{GRANDEUR ET DÉCADENCE 2022}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2022}, month = apr, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/BoomAndBustCoalPlants_2022_French_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }