The Slow Retreat of King Coal

Coal still generates about a third of world electricity, but the growth story has moved to Asia. The United Kingdom, which opened the industrial age on coal, ended coal generation in 2024.

US coal output has roughly halved since its 2007 peak under gas and renewables pressure. Germany and Poland face hard lignite exits, while China and India keep building but pair plants with renewables at gigawatt pace.

Retired sites increasingly reappear as storage, gas peaking or renewable hubs..