Coal power in the OECD has halved since its peak – replaced by wind and solar

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

Coal generation in the OECD peaked in 2007, and in 2023, it fell to less than half that peak for the first time. OECD coal generation fell by 52% (-1,989 TWh), from 3,854 TWh in 2007 to 1,865 TWh in 2023. Consequently, coal generation was just 17% of the OECD total electricity production in 2023, compared to 36% in 2007.

The vast majority of coal was replaced by wind and solar, which rose elevenfold (+1,723 TWh) from 2007 to 2023. This equals 87% of the fall in coal generation.

The switch from coal to renewables made electricity cleaner: the carbon intensity of electricity fell from 479 gCO2 per kWh in 2007 to 341 in 2023.

As a result of the fall in coal generation, total OECD power sector emissions fell by 28% from 2007 to 2023.