India likely passed peak coal in 2018, according to new report
Energy think tank Ember reports that the share of coal-based electricity in India has been on the decline since 2018.
No coal
Coal once powered much of the world’s economy — and now countries, cities, and utilities are moving away from it faster than many expected. This archive tracks plant closures, policy shifts, and clean-energy transitions that are shrinking coal’s role in the global energy mix.
4 major Asian nations cancel 80% of planned coal power projects
Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines have canceled nearly 45 gigawatts of proposed coal power projects, a figure equal to more than one-quarter of the total installed capacity of Germany.
Philippines shuts door on new coal power proposals
The Philippines has stopped accepting new proposals for coal-based power projects to encourage investment in other energy sources like natural gas and renewables, the government’s energy chief said.
Oregon closes state’s last coal plant in favor of green energy
The last plant in Oregon, which opened in 1977, was pushed to close by a lawsuit filed against General Electric for air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions concerns.
Coal dropped from 27% of U.S. electricity to 18% in two years
Electricity from coal power plants has declined from 26.9% of US electricity generation in the first 7 months of 2018 to 17.7% in the first 7 months of 2020. That’s down from 33% in 2015, 39% in 2014, 45% in 2010, and 50% in 2005.
Ecuador’s highest court will allow communities to vote on mining projects
The decision follows a petition by the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca to allow a ballot referendum on mining near water sources, including near the Tomebamba, Machángara, Norcay, Yanuncay, and Tarqui rivers.
Zimbabwe bans coal mining in all national parks
The new policy reverses an earlier decision to allow two firms to drill and survey for coal in the world-renowned Hwange National Park, home to more than 40,000 elephants and a population of endangered black rhino, as well as leopard and painted dog conservation programs.
Portugal to close its last coal plant in 2021, two years ahead of schedule
Portuguese energy utility EDP has announced the closure of its Sines coal power plant, bringing forward the planned shutdown of coal-fired power plants in the country by two years, from 2023 to 2021.
Germany to abandon all coal energy by 2038
Germany’s Bundestag passed a bill banning coal as a power source. The country will abandon nuclear energy by 2022 and coal by 2038, and will aim for 55% cuts in GHG emissions by 2030 over 1990 levels.
Spain permanently closes half of its coal-fired power stations
Seven of the 15 coal plants still working in Spain will cease operations today, after their owners – the electricity companies – decided that it does not make financial sense to adapt them to European regulations. Four more will shut down soon.