Canary Media
- In 2024, the United States witnessed a significant milestone in its transition to renewable energy, with solar and wind power generating more electricity than coal for most of the year.
- According to data from Ember, a think tank, solar and wind energy provided a record 17% of U.S. electricity from January to November, while coal contributed 15%.
- This shift marks a substantial decline in coal’s share of electricity generation in the U.S., which accounted for 51% at the start of the 21st century and dropped to 16% by 2023.
- Currently, 10 states in the U.S. generate half or more of their electricity supply from renewables, with Iowa and South Dakota leading the way due to their abundant wind power.
- Notably, Texas saw solar power generate more electricity than coal for the first time in March, highlighting the growing importance of renewable energy in the state.
- The decline of coal power is not limited to the U.S., as Europe has also seen a significant reduction in coal-generated electricity, with the European Union producing more electricity from solar and wind than from coal and gas combined in the first six months of the year.
- The United Kingdom has completely phased out coal from its grid, having shuttered its last coal-fired power plant in September.
- Globally, coal still remains the largest source of electricity generation, producing more than a third of electricity worldwide in 2023, but its share has fallen over the last decade.
- Despite this progress, the world is still burning through more tons of coal than ever, with coal being used in various processes such as steelmaking.
- In the U.S., five of the nation’s 10 largest coal plants have planned closure dates between 2028 and 2038, and experts expect another 8 gigawatts worth of coal plants to be shuttered by 2040, although this may not be soon enough to meet global climate goals.
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