coal phase-out

File:Coal-phase-out-timeline.svg

{{Excerpt|Peak coal}}

{{See also|Natural gas#Power generation}}

File:Top 5 coal consuming countries to 2017, US EIA data.png data.]]

File:Global coal use in power generation map.png (PPCA) membership also indicated.
_ Coal >50% of grid electricity
_ Coal 10–50% of grid electricity
_ Coal <10% of grid electricity
_ Coal <0.1% of grid electricity
_ Coal >50% of grid electricity (PPCA member)
_ Coal 10–50% of grid electricity (PPCA member)
_ Coal <10% of grid electricity (PPCA member)
_ No data]]

Coal-fired generation puts out about twice as much carbon dioxide—around a tonne for every megawatt hour generated—as electricity generated by burning natural gas at 500 kg of greenhouse gas per megawatt hour.{{cite web |title=Electricity emissions around the world |date=23 April 2013 |url=http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/electricity-emissions-around-the-world |access-date=30 October 2018}} In addition to generating electricity, natural gas is also popular in some countries for heating. One major intergovernmental organisation (the G7) committed in 2021 to end support for coal-fired power stations within the year.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-21 |title=G7 commits to end support for coal-fired power stations this year |url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/05/21/g7-commits-to-end-support-for-coal-fired-power-stations-this-year |access-date=2021-07-08 |website=euronews |language=en}}

The use of coal in the United Kingdom declined as a result of the development of North Sea oil and the subsequent Dash for Gas during the 1990s. In Canada some coal power plants, such as the Hearn Generating Station, switched from coal to natural gas. In 2022, coal power in the United States provided less than a fifth of its electricity, down from almost half in 2008,{{cite web |url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/figes1.html|title=Figure ES 1. U.S. Electric Power Industry Net Generation|work=Electric Power Annual with data for 2008|publisher=U.S. Energy Information Administration|date=21 January 2010|access-date=7 November 2010}} due to the plentiful supplies of low cost natural gas obtained by hydraulic fracturing of tight shale formations.{{cite report |title=Key World Energy Statistics |date=2014 |publisher=International Energy Agency |location=Paris |page=24 |url=http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2014.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021020232/http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2014.pdf |archive-date=2014-10-21 |url-status=dead}}

In order to meet global climate goals and provide power to those that do not currently have it coal power must be reduced from nearly 10,000 TWh to less than 2,000 TWh by 2040.{{cite news |date=13 November 2018 |title=Coal dumped as IEA turns to wind and solar to solve climate challenge |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/coal-dumped-as-iea-turns-to-wind-and-solar-to-solve-climate-challenge-66916/ |work=Renew Economy}}{{Update inline|date=February 2025|reason=solar power is alot cheaper now than in 2018}}

{{See also|South Africa Just Energy Transition Investment Plan}}

The country is attempting a just transition away from coal in South Africa.{{Cite journal |last1=Strambo |first1=Claudia |last2=Africa |first2=Taking stock of the just transition from coal in South |date=2024-09-02 |title=Taking stock of the just transition from coal in South Africa |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/just-transition-coal-south-africa/ |language=en-GB |doi=10.51414/sei2024.034}} Three coal power plants are due to be decommissioned in 2030.{{Cite web |title=Twelve month Just Energy Transition Partnership leaders' update for 2024 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/twelve-month-just-energy-transition-partnership-leaders-update-for-2024 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}} Academics said in 2024 that workers in the south-west part of Mpumalanga need new jobs.{{Cite web |last=Mohlakoana |first=Nthabiseng |date=2024-08-28 |title=South Africa's coal workers face an uncertain future – Mpumalanga study flags they're being left out of the green transition |url=https://theconversation.com/south-africas-coal-workers-face-an-uncertain-future-mpumalanga-study-flags-theyre-being-left-out-of-the-green-transition-236653 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}

File:Nanticoke Generating Station 2.jpg in Ontario, one of the largest power plants to be shut as part of Ontario's coal phaseout.]]

In 2014, Ontario was the first jurisdiction in North America to eliminate coal in electricity generation.{{Cite web |title=Creating Cleaner Air in Ontario |url=https://news.ontario.ca/mndmf/en/2014/04/creating-cleaner-air-in-ontario-1.html |access-date=14 September 2019 |website=news.ontario.ca |language=en}} In 2016, the Government of Canada announced plans to phase out coal-fired electricity generation by 2030.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/21/canada-coal-electricity-phase-out-2030|title=Canada plans to phase out coal-powered electricity by 2030|date=21 November 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 November 2016|location=London, United Kingdom|issn=0261-3077}} Alberta followed up in 2024 with phasing out its last coal power plant in Genesee.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-18 |title=Alberta is no longer using coal to generate electricity |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-is-no-longer-using-coal-to-generate-electricity-1.6931551 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=CTV News Edmonton |language=en}} {{As of|2024||df=}}, only three provinces burned coal to generate electricity: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan,{{Cite web|url=https://balkangreenenergynews.com/coal-phaseout-in-canada-ex-colleagues-helping-miners-job-transition/|title=Coal phaseout in Canada – Ex-colleagues helping miners' job transition|date=10 February 2020|website=Balkan Green Energy News|language=en-US|access-date=11 February 2020}} Canada aims to generate 90% of its electricity from non-emitting sources by 2030.{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-action/powering-future-clean-energy.html|title=Powering our future with clean electricity|last=Canada|first=Environment and Climate Change|date=24 November 2016|website=aem|access-date=11 February 2020}}

{{Excerpt|Coal_power_in_the_United_States#Phase out|paragraphs=1|only=paragraphs}}

As of 2020, over half of the world's coal-generated electricity was produced in China.{{cite news |title=China generated over half world's coal-fired power in 2020: study |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-china-coal/china-generated-over-half-worlds-coal-fired-power-in-2020-study-idUSKBN2BK0PZ |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Reuters |date=28 March 2021 |quote=China generated 53% of the world's total coal-fired power in 2020, nine percentage points more that five years earlier}} In 2020 alone, China added 38 gigawatts of coal-fired power generation, over three times what the rest of the world built that year.{{cite news |title=China generated half of global coal power in 2020: study |url=https://www.dw.com/en/china-generated-half-of-global-coal-power-in-2020-study/a-57044984 |access-date=16 September 2021 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=29 March 2021 |quote=new coal-fired power installations reached 38.4 GW in 2020. That's more than three times the amount built by the rest of the world}}

China is confident of achieving a rich zero carbon economy by 2050.{{cite web|url=http://energy-transitions.org/sites/default/files/CHINA_2050_A_FULLY_DEVELOPED_RICH_ZERO_CARBON_ECONOMY_ENGLISH.pdf |title=China 2050: A Fully Developed Rich Zero-Carbon Economy |access-date=6 January 2020}} In 2021, the government ordered all coal mines to operate at full capacity at all times, including holidays; approved new mines, and eliminated restrictions on coal imports.{{cite news |author1=Chuin-Wei Yap |title=China Takes the Brakes Off Coal Production to Tackle Power Shortage |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-takes-the-brakes-off-coal-production-to-tackle-power-shortage-11634727835?mod=article_inline |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=20 October 2021 |language=en |quote=China has ordered all coal mines to operate at full capacity [...] It has ordered all coal mines to operate at full capacity even during holidays, issued approvals for new mines [...] China's rollback of restrictions on mining and imports of coal}} In November 2021, China reached record coal production levels, breaking the previous historic record, established in October 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-nov-coal-output-strikes-new-high-ensure-winter-supply-2021-12-15/|title = China coal output hits record in Nov to ensure winter supply|newspaper = Reuters|date = 15 December 2021}}

China's exceedingly high energy demand pushed the demand for relatively cheap coal-fired power. Serious air quality deterioration resulted from the massive use of coal and many Chinese cities suffered severe smog events.{{cite web|url=https://www.popsci.com/why-is-smog-in-china-so-bad/|title=Why is the smog in China so bad?|website=popsci.com|date=18 March 2019}} {{Update inline|date=September 2019}}

As a consequence, the region of Beijing decided to phase out all its coal-fired power generation by the end of 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/singapore/chinas-beijing-city-to-abolish-coal-fired-power-27490804|title=China's Beijing city to abolish coal-fired power plants by end 2014 – Electric Power – Platts News Article & Story|website=Platts.com}} a plan which it implemented with the closure of the Huaneng Beijing Thermal Power Plant in 2017. Despite this, however, the city imports most of its electricity from other coal-burning areas of the country,{{Cite web |title=Beijing's green electricity credentials questioned |url=https://www.ft.com/content/673ffa02-0faa-11e7-b030-768954394623 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Financial Times|date=28 March 2017 |last1=Feng |first1=Emily }} and the Huaneng plant has been temporarily reopened several times.{{Cite web |title=Beijing Restarts Coal-Fired Power Plant as Extreme Cold Grips Capital – Caixin Global |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2020-12-31/beijing-restarts-coal-fired-power-plant-as-extreme-cold-grips-capital-101645610.html |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=www.caixinglobal.com |language=en}}

In 2024 the International Energy Agency said: “Reforms should accompany coal plants in their transition from energy suppliers to providers of flexibility services. While coal plants will continue to play a key role in providing grid stability and flexibility, their contribution in terms of electricity generation will have to decline. This shift requires targeted policies that support coal plants in becoming providers of system services, such as frequency regulation and ramping support, and seasonal flexibility, to ensure a smooth transition towards a more flexible and low-carbon power system.”{{Cite web |title=Executive summary – Meeting Power System Flexibility Needs in China by 2030 – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/meeting-power-system-flexibility-needs-in-china-by-2030/executive-summary |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=IEA |language=en-GB}}

{{update section|date=May 2019}}

File:Coal-Consumption-In-India.png, 1965–2023]]

India is the third largest consumer of coal in the world. India's federal energy minister is planning to stop importing thermal coal by 2018.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/thermal-coal-imports-must-be-stopped-goyal/article7209584.ece |title=Thermal coal imports will stop by 2017: Goyal |website=www.thehindubusinessline.com |date=15 May 2015}}

The annual report of India's Power Ministry has a plan to grow power by about 80 GW as part of their 11th 5-year plan, and 79% of that growth will be in fossil fuel–fired power plants, primarily coal.{{cite report |title=Annual Report 2008–09 |publisher=Ministry of Power |location=New Delhi |url=http://powermin.nic.in/indian_electricity_scenario/pdf/Annual_Report_2008-09_English.pdf |access-date=13 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718131617/http://powermin.nic.in/indian_electricity_scenario/pdf/Annual_Report_2008-09_English.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2011 }} India plans four new "ultra mega" coal-fired power plants as part of that growth, each 4000 MW in capacity. {{As of|2015}}, there are six nuclear reactors under construction. In the first half of 2016, the amount of coal-fired generating capacity in pre-construction planning in India fell by 40,000 MW, according to results released by the Global Coal Plant Tracker.Alister Doyle, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-coal-idUSKCN11C2N4 "Global coal power plans fall in 2016, led by China, India: study,"] Reuters, 6 September 2016 In June 2016, India's Ministry of Power stated that no further power plants would be required in the next three years, and "any thermal power plant that has yet to begin construction should back off."[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/india-wont-need-extra-power-plants-for-next-three-years-says-government-report/articleshow/52545715.cms "India won't need extra power plants for next three years, says government report"], The Economic Times, 2 June 2016

In cement production, carbon neutral biomass is being used to replace coal for reducing carbon foot print drastically.{{cite web |url=http://www.zkg.de/en/artikel/zkg_Geocycle_secures_biomass_needs_from_local_farmers_in_India_3116884.html |title=Lafargeholcim – Geocycle secures biomass needs from local farmers in India |website=www.zkg.de |access-date=21 June 2018 }}

In 2025 the International Energy Agency said that “it is essential to consider the external costs associated with different fuel types, such as health impacts from air pollution and carbon emissions. Coal-based power generation contributes significantly to air pollution, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and emits large amounts of CO2. By incorporating these externalities into fuel prices (e.g., through a robust carbon price signal), the true cost of coal power becomes apparent. This adjustment could make natural gas more competitive in the merit order, as it produces fewer pollutants and lower carbon emissions compared to coal. Reflecting these external costs in fuel pricing would not only promote cleaner energy sources but also improve public health and support climate goals.”{{Cite web |date=2025-02-12 |title=India Gas Market Report – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/india-gas-market-report |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=IEA |page=27 |language=en-GB}}

{{Excerpt|Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership}}

{{Update section|date=June 2022}}

Japan, the world's third-largest economy, made a major move to use more fossil fuels in 2012, when the nation shut down nuclear reactors following the Fukushima accident. Nuclear, which had supplied 30 percent of Japanese electricity from 1987 to 2011, supplied only 2 percent in 2012 (hydropower supplied 8 percent). Nuclear electricity was replaced with electricity from petroleum, coal, and liquified natural gas. As a result, electricity generation from fossil fuels rose to 90 percent in 2012.[https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=10391 "Japan's fossil-fueled generation remains high because of continuing nuclear plant outages"], US Energy Information Administration, 15 March 2013. By 2021, Japan generated 30% of its electricity from coal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/fossil-fuels/coal/despite-the-biden-administrations-wishes-coal-wont-go-away/ |title=Despite the Biden Administration's Wishes, Coal Won't Go Away |website=www.instituteforenergyresearch.org |date=17 November 2021}}

In January 2017, the Japanese government announced plans to build 45 new coal-fired power plants in the next ten years, largely to replace expensive electricity from petroleum power plants.Babs McHugh, [http://www.platts.com/latest-news/coal/sydney/japan-plans-to-build-45-new-coal-power-plants-27762428 "Japan plans to build 45 coal power plants in next decade,"] Platts, 3 February 2017. Japan has 140 coal plants of which 114 are classified as inefficient and as a result the government intends to shut these down by 2050 to meet its climate commitments.{{Cite news |date=2020-07-02 |title=Japan to shut or mothball 100 ageing coal-fired power plants: Yomiuri |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-powerstation-coal-idUSKBN243074 |access-date=2021-06-10}}

The Philippines has stop issuing permits for the construction of new greenfield coal power plants in 2020.{{cite news |title=No more new coal plant applications under latest PH energy policy |url=https://www.rappler.com/business/moratorium-endorsement-new-coal-power-plants-philippine-energy-policy-2020/ |access-date=8 December 2023 |work=Rappler |date=27 October 2020}} Six provinces have passed ordinance banning coal power plants in their jurisdiction as of 2019 namely: Bohol, Guimaras, Ilocos Norte, Masbate, Negros Oriental, Occidental Mindoro, and Sorsogon{{cite news |last1=Standard |first1=Manila |title=Occidental Mindoro bans coal plants |url=https://manilastandard.net/?p=312174 |access-date=8 December 2023 |work=Manila Standard |date=9 December 2019}}

The Department of Energy in December 2023 has urged for the voluntary early and orderly decommissioning or repurposing of existing coal-fired power plants in line of the Philippines' goal to have a 50 percent renewable energy share by 2040.{{cite news |last1=Mercurio |first1=Richmond |title=DOE pushing for deactivation of coal-fired power plants |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/12/07/2316949/doe-pushing-deactivation-coal-fired-power-plants |access-date=8 December 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=7 December 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Velasco |first1=Myrna |title=PH opts for coal plants' phasedown, instead of phaseout |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/6/ph-opts-for-coal-plants-phasedown-instead-of-phaseout |access-date=8 December 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=6 December 2023 |language=en}}

In 2024 think tank Ember said “South Korea’s coal generation in 2023 was only 21% below its 2017 peak. It is one of the few OECD countries that has seen a large rise in electricity demand, which has doubled since 2000. The rise in clean power was not enough to meet this demand growth. As of 2023, coal generation was almost twice as high as in 2000, even though it has fallen from its peak.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Dave |title=Coal generation in OECD countries falls below half of its peak |url=https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/coal-generation-in-oecd-countries-falls-below-half-of-its-peak/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Ember |language=en-US}}

{{Excerpt|Coal_power_in_Turkey#Phase-out}}

At the COP 26 in 2021, Vietnam pledged to phase out unabated coal power by the 2040s or soon thereafter.{{cite journal |last1=Do |first1=Thang Nam |last2=Burke |first2=Paul J |title=Phasing out coal power in a developing country context: Insights from Vietnam |journal=Energy Policy |date=2023 |volume=176 |issue=113512, May 2023 |doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113512|bibcode=2023EnPol.17613512D |hdl=1885/286612 |hdl-access=free }} This is part of the country's announcement to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In December 2022, Vietnam joined the Just Energy Transition Partnership. Under this partnership, the country will receive $15.5 billion in the next 3–5 years to accelerate decarbonising its electricity sector, including shifting coal power use peak by 2030 instead of 2035. With coal contributing to about 50% of the electricity generation, Vietnam is facing numerous challenges to phase out coal while electricity demand is increasing around 10%/year. It could, however, ramp up the penetration of solar and wind power, particularly offshore wind, to replace coal power {{cite journal |last1=Do |first1=Thang Nam |last2=Burke |first2=Paul J |last3=Hughes |first3=Llewelyn |last4=Ta |first4=Dinh Thi |title=Policy options for offshore wind power in Vietnam |journal=Marine Policy |date=2022 |volume=141 |issue=July 2022, 105080 |doi=10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105080|bibcode=2022MarPo.14105080D |hdl=1885/275544 |hdl-access=free }}

In 2019, Finland enacted a ban of coal use for energy purposes starting on 1 May 2029, ahead of the 2030 schedule discussed earlier.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/finland-energy-coal-idUKL5N20N6QV |title=Finland approves ban on coal for energy use from 2029 |work=Reuters |access-date=5 March 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/finland-confirms-coal-exit-ahead-of-schedule-in-2029/ |title=Finland confirms coal exit ahead of schedule in 2029 |first=Sam|last=Morgan |work=Euractiv |access-date=5 March 2021}} As of 2020, coal represented only 4.4% of electricity generated in the country.{{Citation |url=https://energia.fi/en/energy_sector_in_finland/energy_production/electricity_generation |title=Electricity generation – Energiateollisuus |website=energia.fi |access-date=5 March 2021}} Finland is a founding member of the Powering Past Coal Alliance along 18 other countries.{{Citation |url=https://www.ymparisto.fi/en-US/Climate_and_air/Finland_cofounds_a_Powering_Past_Coal_al(45018) |title=Finland co-founds a Powering Past Coal alliance in Bonn Climate Conference |website=www.ymparisto.fi |access-date=5 March 2021}}{{Citation |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/660041/powering-past-coal-alliance.pdf |title=POWERING PAST COAL ALLIANCE: DECLARATION |website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |access-date=5 March 2021}}

File:Emmanuel Macron (2017-05-29, cropped).jpg signed a law planning the end of fossil-fuel extraction in French territories.]]

The French government intends to close or convert the nation's last four coal plants by 2022.{{Cite web |title=France remains committed to 2022 coal phase-out |url=https://www.endseurope.com/article/1648409 |access-date=2021-07-07 |website=www.endseurope.com}}{{Cite news |last=Felix|first=Bate |date=2019-03-22 |title=France's EDF in race to convert Cordemais plant from coal to biomass |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-edf-electricity-cordemais-idUSKCN1R31YV |access-date=2021-07-07}} In April 2021 the Le Havre coal plant unit was shuttered.{{Cite web |title=France's EDF closes a 580 MW coal-fired power unit in Le Havre {{!}} Enerdata |url=https://www.enerdata.net/publications/daily-energy-news/frances-edf-closes-580-mw-coal-fired-power-unit-le-havre.html |access-date=2021-07-07 |website=www.enerdata.net |date=April 2021 }}

In December 2017, to fight against global warming, France adopted a law banning new fossil fuel exploitation projects and closing current ones by 2040 in all of its territories. France thus became the first country to programme the end of fossil fuel exploitation.Agence France-Presse, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/20/france-bans-fracking-and-oil-extraction-in-all-of-its-territories "France bans fracking and oil extraction in all of its territories "], The Guardian, 20 December 2017 (page visited on 30 December 2017).{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.rts.ch/info/monde/9211145-la-france-devient-le-premier-pays-a-programmer-la-fin-des-hydrocarbures.html "La France devient le premier pays à programmer la fin des hydrocarbures"], Radio télévision suisse, 30 December 2017 (page visited on 30 December 2017).

File:Ende Gelaende Einzug Tagebau Tag 1.jpgs blocking a coal mine to limit climate change (Ende Gelände 2016).]]

{{Interlanguage link|Coal power phase-out in Germany|de|Ausstieg aus der Kohleverstromung in Deutschland}} is in progress. Phase-out of burning coal in Germany in power plants is scheduled for 2038, but market forces may mean that some coal plants will close earlier.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-30 |title=German coal use continues downward trend in 2024 |url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/german-coal-use-continues-downward-trend-2024 |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Clean Energy Wire |language=en}}

As of 2020, Italy still has nine coal power plants, for a total capacity of 7702 MW. Enel, Italy's largest power generator, intends to shut down three power plants in early 2021.{{Cite web |url=https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/coal/090920-enel-lines-up-three-italian-coal-closures-for-early-2021|title = Enel lines up three Italian coal closures for early 2021 | S&P Global Platts |website=www.spglobal.com |date = 9 September 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.iea-coal.org/italy-enel-lines-up-three-italian-coal-closures-for-early-2021/ |title = Italy: Enel lines up three Italian coal closures for early 2021 |website=www.iea-coal.org |date = 14 September 2020 |access-date = 15 January 2021 |archive-date = 27 September 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200927103220/https://www.iea-coal.org/italy-enel-lines-up-three-italian-coal-closures-for-early-2021/ |url-status = dead}}

In 2024 over half of electricity in Poland was generated by coal.{{Cite web |title=Poland - Countries & Regions |url=https://www.iea.org/countries/poland/electricity |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=IEA |language=en-GB}} Katowice has joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-13 |title=Poland's former coal capital joins alliance to phase out coal power |url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/01/13/how-the-heartland-of-polands-coal-industry-is-ditching-fossil-fuels-without-sacrificing-jo |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=euronews |language=en}}

In October 2018, the First government of Pedro Sánchez and Spanish trade unions settled an agreement to close ten Spanish coal mines at the end of 2018. The government pre-engaged to spend 250 million Euro to pay for early retirements, occupational retraining and structural changes. In 2018, about 2.3 percent of the electric energy produced in Spain was produced in coal-fired power stations.theguardian.com 26. October 2018: [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/26/spain-to-close-most-coal-mines-after-striking-250m-deal Spain to close most coal mines after striking €250m deal]

In 2019 coal was still used to a limited extent to fuel three co-generation plants in Sweden that produced electricity and district heating. The operators of these plants planned to phase out coal by 2020,{{Cite web|url=http://www.energinyheter.se/20161227/16092/malarenergi-ska-vara-fossilfritt-2020 |title=Mälarenergi ska vara fossilfritt 2020|website=www.energinyheter.se|language=sv|access-date=29 May 2019}} 2022{{Cite web|url=https://mitti.se/nyheter/kolet-hjorthagen-2022/ |title=Kolet ska bort från Värtaverket 2022|website=Mitt i Stockholm|date=15 October 2018|language=sv-SE|access-date=29 May 2019}} and 2025{{Cite web|url=https://bioenergitidningen.se/biovarme/e-on-fasar-ut-fossilt-och-investerar-flera-hundra-miljoner-i-nytt-varmeverk-i-norrkoping |title=E.ON fasar ut fossilt och investerar flera hundra miljoner i nytt värmeverk i Norrköping|date=26 March 2018 |website=Bioenergitidningen |language=sv-SE|access-date=29 May 2019}} respectively. In August 2019 one of the three remaining coal burning power producers announced that they had phased out coal prematurely in 2019 instead of 2020.{{Cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=112&artikel=7283655 |title=Mälarenergi har slutat elda kol – P4 Västmanland|last=Radio|first=Sveriges |newspaper=Sveriges Radio|date=21 August 2019|language=sv|access-date=13 September 2019}} Värtaverket was scheduled to close in 2022, but closed in 2020.{{cite web |last1=Andersson |first1=Anna |title=Det koleldade kraftvärmeverket KVV6 vid Värtaverket har varit i drift och levererat värme och el till stockholmarna sedan 1989. Nu stängs det. – Stockholm Exergi |url=https://www.stockholmexergi.se/nyheter/kvv6/ |website=www.stockholmexergi.se |language=sv |date=2020}} This was the last coal plant in Sweden, and its closure made Sweden coal free.

In addition to heat and power coal is also used for steel production, there are long-term plans to phase out coal from steel production: Sweden is constructing hydrogen-based pilot steel plant to replace coke and coal usage in steel production.{{cite web |url=https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/coal/sweden-starts-construction-on-fossil-fuel-free-steel-plant/64675998 |title=Sweden starts construction on fossil fuel-free steel plant |website=energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622005158/https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/coal/sweden-starts-construction-on-fossil-fuel-free-steel-plant/64675998 |url-status=dead }} Once this technology is commercialized with the hydrogen generated from renewable energy sources (biogas or electricity), the carbon foot print of steel production would reduce drastically.{{cite web |url=http://www.solarpaces.org/new-iea-report/ |title=New IEA Report: Renewable Energy for Industry |website=www.solarpaces.org |date=10 November 2017 |access-date=21 June 2018 }}

Having been an initiator of the Industrial Revolution, the last coal power station in the United Kingdom (Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in England) stopped operating on 30 September 2024.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y35qz73n8o|title=UK to close last coal power station after 142 years|date=30 September 2024|website=BBC News}} Scotland's last coal power station closed in 2016,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-35882883|title=Longannet switch-off ends coal-fired power production in Scotland|work=BBC News|date=24 March 2016}} Wales' last coal power station closed in December 2019{{Cite news|last=Clowes|first=Ed|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/12/11/wales-last-coal-power-plant-go-dark-friday/|title=Wales' last coal power plant to go dark on Friday|date=11 December 2019|work=The Telegraph|access-date=11 February 2020|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}} and Northern Ireland's last coal power station closed in September 2023.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66957611|title=Kilroot: 'Electricity disruption unlikely' as power station closes|work=BBC News |date=29 September 2023}}

Coal power dominated the UK's electricity mix for decades but began to decline after the Dash for Gas in the 1990s, with significant competition from new combined cycle gas turbines. The trend continued after subsequent environmental laws brought in during the early 21st century to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and incentivise the rollout of renewable energy. In generating capability there was initially the closure of the Hinton Heavies, followed by the closure or conversion to biomass of the remaining coal plants by 2024. In the final few years of coal power in the UK, in 2018 it was less than at any time since the Industrial Revolution. The first "coal free day" took place in 2017. Coal supplied 5.4% of UK electricity in 2018, down from 30% in 2014,{{cite news|title=Countdown to 2025: Tracking the UK coal phase out|url=http://www.carbonbrief.org/countdown-to-2025-tracking-the-uk-coal-phase-out|date=10 February 2016|work=Carbon Brief|access-date=7 March 2016|first=Simon|last=Evans}} and 70% in 1990. Gas-fired power stations continue to provide some firm service.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/12001752/UK-coal-plants-must-close-by-2025-Amber-Rudd-to-announce.html |title=UK coal plants must close by 2025, Amber Rudd announces |website=www.telegraph.co.uk |date=18 November 2015 }}

{{Excerpt|Coal_in_Australia#Phase-out}}

{{Update section|date=February 2021}}

In October 2007, the Clark Labour government introduced a 10{{nbsp}}year moratorium on new fossil fuel thermal power generation.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.power-eng.com/renewables/new-zealand-issues-ten-year-ban-on-new-thermal-power-plants/ |title=New Zealand issues ten-year ban on new thermal power plants |magazine=Power Engineering |publisher=PennWell Corporation |date=11 October 2007 |issn=0032-5961 |access-date=7 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240620214704/https://www.power-eng.com/renewables/new-zealand-issues-ten-year-ban-on-new-thermal-power-plants/ |archive-date=20 June 2024}} The ban was limited to state-owned utilities, although an extension to the private sector was considered. The new government under MP John Key (NZNP) elected in the 2008 New Zealand general election, repealed this legislation.{{Cite web |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/unlocking-new-zealands-energy-and-resources-potential |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.beehive.govt.nz}}

In 2014, almost 80 percent of the electricity produced in New Zealand was from sustainable energy.{{cite news | website=Sciencealert.com | date=10 August 2015 | url=http://www.sciencealert.com/new-zealand-will-shut-down-its-last-large-coal-fired-power-stations-in-2018 | title=New Zealand will shut down its last large coal-fired power generators in 2018 }}

On 6 August 2015, Genesis Energy Limited announced that it would close its two last coal-fired power stations.{{cite web | url=http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20150806/pdf/430b9m38rq42jm.pdf | title=Market release: GNE announces timetable to end coal-fired generation in New Zealand}}

• Beyond Coal{{snd}} a campaign by the Sierra Club to promote renewable energy instead of coal{{cite web |url=http://content.sierraclub.org/coal/ |title=Beyond Coal |work=sierraclub.org}}
• Big Coal
• Burning the Future: Coal in America
• The Coal Question
• Powering Past Coal Alliance

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite report

|work=OECD

|title=OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Turkey 2019

|last1=Efimova

|first1=Tatiana

|last2=Mazur

|first2=Eugene

|last3=Migotto

|first3=Mauro

|last4=Rambali

|first4=Mikaela

|last5=Samson

|first5=Rachel

|date=February 2019

|doi=10.1787/9789264309753-en

|series=OECD Environmental Performance Reviews

|isbn=9789264309760

}}

• {{cite web |author=European Commission |title=Turkey 2019 Report |date=May 2019 |url=https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20190529-turkey-report.pdf |website=ec.europa.eu}}

{{Global warming|state=expanded|expanded=Mitigation}}

{{Electricity generation}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fossil Fuel Phase Out}}

Category:Emissions reduction

Category:Energy policy

Category:Technological phase-outs