OECD coal generation halved since 2007 peak: 87% replaced by wind and solar
A report by Ember, a climate policy think tank, estimates that coal power generation has fallen by 52 per cent since 2007 in the 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Ember estimates that wind and solar generation mostly replaced coal power. The report states that coal generation accounted for 17 per cent of electricity in OECD countries in 2023. With the closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant, the UK’s last coal power station, 14 of the OECD countries now have a coal-free generation system, with a further 13 committed to phasing out coal generation by 2030. Of the OECD countries, only Turkiye has increased coal generation, while four countries – Japan, South Korea, Colombia and Mexico – recorded declines of less than 30 per cent from their peaks. (Ember)
EMBER report
Highlights
-52%
Decline in OECD coal generation since it peaked in 2007
17%
Share of coal generation in the OECD in 2023
27
Of the 38 OECD countries are committed to being coal-free by 2030.
Executive summary
Halving coal power
The OECD’s century-long reliance on coal power is rapidly coming to a close.
Coal power is on its way out in the world’s richest economies. It may surprise some that the shift was not primarily to gas, but rather directly to solar and wind. It is encouraging to see mature economies now switch their focus to repowering their whole economy with clean energy, to ultimately close the chapter not only on coal, but on all fossil fuels.Global Insights Programme Director, Ember

Analysis
OECD coal power is half its peak
Wind and solar have made a substantial impact on making electricity cleaner, as coal generation in OECD countries falls below half of its peak.