Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by Global Energy Monitor and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) examines the structural inertia preventing a transition away from coal in China's power system. Despite a record decline in coal's share of power generation and the rapid expansion of renewables, coal capacity continues to grow due to high commissioning rates, strong project approvals, and institutional protections such as capacity payments and inflexible dispatch rules. The report highlights a significant gap between official retirement targets and actual progress, urging the development of a national roadmap for coal phase-down in the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan.

This report by Ember analyzes how the decline in Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) costs can accelerate the phase-down of coal power in India between 2024 and 2032. Using a least-cost optimized (LCO) model, the authors identify that while solar growth is rapid, the transition is limited by the cost-effectiveness of storage for non-solar hours. The report argues that BESS costs must fall by 15% annually to limit new coal capacity to levels projected in the 14th National Electricity Plan (NEP), and must drop by over 50% from current levels to potentially eliminate the need for any new coal additions.