Global coal energy industry - statistics & facts
Coal is a combustible fuel and a primary energy source used as a means of electricity and heat generation. It was one of the first fuel types used by the public power sector and a major contributor to the Industrial Revolution. Within a coal power station, thermal coal such as lignite (also referred to as brown coal) and hard coal is burned to bring water to boil. The resulting water steam then drives turbines attached to generators, creating electricity. Today, coal is still the world’s largest source of electricity generation.
Chinese financial institutions such as Bank of China and ICBC have been the top banks for coal power companies in the few past years.
Coal use today and most common tech types installed
As coal is often one of the cheapest and most secure means of obtaining electricity, it has been favored by many fast-growing economies such as China and India. In fact, the use of coal power in China has increased so much over the past three decades that it has become the largest producer of coal-fired power worldwide. In 2022, China generated over 5,000 terawatt-hours of electricity from burning coal, which accounted for more than half of the world's coal power production. Subcritical and supercritical combustion types have historically been the most installed technologies in a coal power station. Subcritical was the first type of coal power generating process developed. However, since then more efficient means of combustion, as well as carbon capture techniques have been introduced, with ultra-super being the preferred choice today.Coal investment outlook
Global installed coal power capacity has risen to over 2.2 terawatts and is projected to plateau in the coming years. Many governments have introduced phase-out dates to be reached before mid-century to reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate climate change. Nevertheless, as of 2023, there was still over 500 gigawatts of coal power capacity in the pipeline.Chinese financial institutions such as Bank of China and ICBC have been the top banks for coal power companies in the few past years.
