'Sobering reality check': Global coal power to reach record levels in 2021, IEA warns

Michael Holder
clock • 6 min read
Coal power demand has grown in 2021 | Credit: iStock
Image:

Coal power demand has grown in 2021 | Credit: iStock

Global coal power generation set for post-Covid bounce driven largely by China and India, according to International Energy Agency

A rapid rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic is set to push electricity generation from carbon-intensive coal to record levels worldwide in 2021, driven mostly by China, India and a steep rise in global...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

Michael Holder
Author spotlight

Michael Holder

Editor

View profile
More from Michael Holder

WEF: Global 'clean fuels' investment needs to quadruple to $100bn by 2030

'Slowing momentum': McKinsey warns global clean energy goals at risk

More on Energy

'Misleading': Institute of Economic Affairs faces calls to withdraw controversial report on net zero costs
Energy

'Misleading': Institute of Economic Affairs faces calls to withdraw controversial report on net zero costs

Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment writes to right wing think tank, urging it to correct 'clearly absurd' claims about the total cost of meeting net zero targets

James Murray
James Murray
clock 15 January 2026 • 6 min read
'Slowing momentum': McKinsey warns global clean energy goals at risk
Energy

'Slowing momentum': McKinsey warns global clean energy goals at risk

Number of clean power projects reaching final investment decision stage has fallen 'at precisely the time it needs to speed up if targets are to be met', report warns

Michael Holder
Michael Holder
clock 15 January 2026 • 4 min read
'Cherry picking data': Government and analysts hit back at latest Tufton Street attacks on net zero
Energy

'Cherry picking data': Government and analysts hit back at latest Tufton Street attacks on net zero

Right wing think tank accuses Climate Change Committee of overly optimistic clean tech cost estimates, but supporters of climate action counter that latest criticisms fail to recognise risks associated with continued reliance on fossil fuels

James Murray
James Murray
clock 12 January 2026 • 10 min read