Global coal power plant capacity sees highest net growth since 2016

China accounted for two-thirds of the 69.5 GW of new coal plants.

The total coal power plant capacity saw a net increase of 48.4 gigawatts (GW) in 2023, the highest net growth since 2016, bringing the total to 2,130 GW, data from Global Energy Monitor (GEM) showed.

According to the Global Coal Plant Tracker, 69.5 GW of coal power came online last year, two-thirds of which or around 47.4 GW were from China, whilst 21.1 GW was retired during the period.

Outside China, 22.1 GW came online and 17.4 GW was retired, resulting in a net increase of 4.7 GW to the operating coal fleet.

GEM added that the low retirements in the US and Europe were also a factor in the coal capacity growth.

ALSO READ: China's climate targets compromised by increased coal usage

“But the accelerated growth in coal capacity may be short-lived, as low retirement rates in 2023 that contributed to coal’s rise are expected to pick up speed in the U.S. and Europe, offsetting the blip,” the report read. 

“Heightened capacity additions would also be tempered if China takes immediate action to ensure it meets its target of shutting down 30 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity by 2025,” it added.

However, the report noted that the trajectory of the global coal fleet will depend on the new projects that will start, which have already declined outside China for two consecutive years.

Less than 4 GW of new projects started construction outside China in 2023, well below the 16 GW annual average between 2015 and 2022.

In China, on the other hand, 70.2 GW of new construction began last year which is 19 times more than the rest of the world and the highest for the country since 2015.