Plans for coal power plants fall nearly 50% globally in 2016

2016 saw a steep decline in the number of coal-fired power plants in pre-construction across the world – according to a new report.

The “Boom and Bust 2017” report detailed that there was a 48 per cent decline in planned coal power stations, with a 62 per cent fall in construction starts.

The authors of the report, which come from a range of green campaign groups including Greenpeace and the Sierra Club, believe that the decline was the result of the changing policies and economic conditions in China and India.

Moreover, they maintain that the slowdown brings the possibility of keeping global warming under 2°C since pre-industrial times "within feasible reach."

Between 2006 and 2016, 85 per cent of new coal plants were built in China and India, but both nations have since shifted their focus from coal production.

A total of 68 gigawatts (GW) of construction have been frozen at over 100 project sites in the two countries, the report said.

The main causes of the decline are attributed to the enforcement of restrictive measures imposed by China’s central government.  

According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ preliminary calculations, the China’s coal consumption declined 4.7 per cent last year.

China has aimed to reduce coal usage in favour of renewable energy, including solar and wind power to combat the severe air pollution in its major cities.

In 2016, China’s solar capacity grew an impressive 81.6 per cent to 77.4 GW up from 34.5 GW at the end of 2015, while wind power grew 13.2 per cent to 149 GW.

In India, work at 13 locations is currently being stalled due to banks’ reluctance to provide funds for the coal power stations.

Furthermore, a new report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in Delhi stated if the cost of renewable energy and storage continues to fall at current rates, India could phase out coal power completely by 2050 – significantly outperforming its commitments under the Paris Agreement.

According to the report, India can cut its CO2 emissions by up to 600 million tonnes (10 per cent) after 2030.

In Europe and the U.S., there have also been numerous coal plants taken out of commission over the past two years, with around 120 large units being retired.

 In the UK, CO2 emissions fell by 5.8 per cent in 2016, after coal use fell a record 52 per cent – according to the Carbon Brief.

Ted Nace, Director of CoalSwarm, said: "However abrupt, the shift from fossil fuels to clean sources in the power sector is a positive one for health, climate security, and jobs. And by all indications, the shift is unstoppable."

According to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the energy sector can be reduced by 70 per cent by 2050 and completely phased-out by 2060 with a net positive economic outlook.

The report projects that the energy mix will look significantly different in 2050, with total fossil fuel use standing at a third of present levels and coal seeing the most significant decline.

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