Coal remains the leading source of global electricity, with the IEA forecasting 10,974 TWh of coal‑fired generation in 2026 despite rapid growth of wind and solar
Executive summary: The IEA expects coal‑fired power plants to generate 10,974 terawatt‑hours of electricity in 2026, maintaining coal as the top global power source. This underscores coal's continued dominance in electricity supply, influencing emissions trajectories, investment decisions, and the pace of energy transitions.
Who is involved: International Energy Agency (IEA), global coal‑fired power fleet, electricity markets worldwide.
Likely next: Continued tracking of coal generation trends; upcoming IEA publications may revise the outlook based on policy or market developments.
The International Energy Agency projects that coal‑fired plants will produce 10,974 terawatt‑hours of electricity in 2026, keeping coal ahead of all other generation sources. This outlook highlights the persistence of coal in the power mix even as renewable installations accelerate worldwide. The figure suggests that any near‑term shift away from coal will require stronger policy measures or market incentives than currently observed.
Timeline
- — Coal Remains The Undisputed King Of Global Power (OilPrice)
Analysis — what this means
Sectors affected
- Coal power generation
- Electricity sector
- Coal mining
Sources
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