More than 100 coal-fired power station generator units are set to start supplying electricity worldwide in 2026 as China continues to develop projects using the fossil fuel even as it installs huge amounts of wind and solar power.
The 104 projects due to open this year are among 439 under construction, according to an analysis of plans by Global Energy Monitor, highlighting the enduring reliance on coal-fired power stations despite massive progress in lower-carbon technologies.
The vast majority of the coal power projects are in China, which accounts for 212 gigawatts of the 256GW total new capacity under construction. China has 85 coal-fired units scheduled to open in 2026, accounting for 55GW of the global 63GW, according to the GEM data. The final tallies could be higher or lower depending on construction timelines.