A new report from Global Energy Monitor (GEM) reports that after rising in 2020 for the first time since 2015, total coal power capacity under development declined last year from 525 GW to 457 GW, a record low.
But some 34 countries were still found to have new coal plants under consideration, albeit down from 41 countries in January 2021.
The world currently has more than 2,400 coal-fired power plants operating in 79 countries, for a total of nearly 2,100 GW of capacity. An additional 176 GW of coal capacity is under construction at more than 189 plants, and 280 GW is in pre-construction at 296 plants.
China is the most significant financial backer of coal-fired energy plants, and has been ramping up investment in its domestic sector despite committing to a 2060 net-zero target.
However, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced to the United Nations General Assembly in September that his country would end overseas coal projects as part of its climate change...