Global coal power generation expected to fall by 3% in 2019

The analysis shows that global coal-fired power plant generation is expected to decline by a record 3%
in 2019.
Analysis released by climate and energy agency Carbon Brief noted that global coal power generation fell by about 300 terawatt hours in 2019, which is more than Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom combined
for coal power generation last year.

The decline in coal power generation (a major source of greenhouse gas pollution) in 2019 compared to 2018 makes it possible to see the prospect
of slower global carbon emissions growth in 2019.
But global coal use and carbon emissions remain well above what is needed to meet international targets set out in the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise and prevent the worst impacts
of climate change.

According to an analysis of the first 10 months of 2019, the decline in global coal power generation comes after decades of rising levels of most coal power
.
The analysis found that this is partly due to the obvious effect of emission reductions in developed countries, including Germany, the entire European Union and South Korea
.

Although U.
S.
President Donald Trump supports coal-fired power generation, the U.
S.
has seen the largest emissions reductions along with the
closure of several large power plants.

The EU's coal-fired power generation fell 19% year-on-year in the first half of 2019 and looks set to fall by about 23% for the full year, with half of its decline being filled by wind and solar and half by natural gas
.

India's coal power generation has also seen a sharp shift, with coal power generation set to decline
for the first time in decades due to slowing electricity demand and growth in other sources of power generation.

China, the world's largest coal producer, consumer and importer, saw slower electricity demand growth in 2019, and strong nuclear, wind and hydroelectric power to meet most of its electricity demand will also help China reduce its use
of coal power.

Although coal production in Southeast Asia continues to grow, demand in these countries is small
compared to the global total, the analysis said.

Globally, the combined trend of rapid growth of non-fossil fuel power sources, carbon prices, the retirement of coal-fired power plants, and slower economic growth suggests that coal-fired power generation will see a record decline in 2019
.