Coal power, once the cornerstone of industrial growth, is rapidly fading in the world’s wealthiest nations.

A new report by Ember reveals that coal use in OECD countries has fallen by 52% since its peak in 2007. In 2023, coal accounted for just 17% of electricity generation, a sharp drop from 36% at its height.

A surge in renewable energy primarily drives the decline. Wind and solar power have grown elevenfold since 2007, replacing 87% of the coal that has been phased out. This shift has also slashed electricity’s carbon intensity, from 479 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour in 2007 to 341 grams in 2023.

Stable electricity demand across OECD countries helped clean energy replace fossil fuels instead of merely meeting rising consumption.

While natural gas saw modest growth, especially in the U.S., renewables dominated the transition. By 2023, wind and solar energy will make up 27% of electricity generation in these countries.

Fourteen OECD nations are now coal-free, including recent additions like Norway in 2023 and Slovakia in 2024. Some countries, like Iceland and Luxembourg, eliminated coal decades ago.

The UK, once synonymous with coal during the Industrial Revolution, became a coal-free country after closing its last plant in September 2024.

For many nations, the transition has been dramatic. Spain has reduced its coal use by 95% since 2002, while France and Ireland have cut theirs by 92% and 85%, respectively. These milestones highlight how quickly countries can transition when clean energy investments are prioritized.

However, progress is uneven. Japan and South Korea still depend on coal for over 30% of their electricity.

Türkiye set a record for coal generation in 2023, surpassing Poland to become Europe’s second-largest coal generator. Together, these three countries accounted for 35% of OECD coal generation last year.

Globally, the picture is more mixed. While OECD countries are phasing out coal, usage has skyrocketed in emerging economies.

Since 2007, China’s coal power has doubled, India’s has tripled, and Southeast Asia’s has quadrupled. These regions now produce three-quarters of global coal power and 30% of energy-related CO₂ emissions.

Still, there are reasons for optimism. China is investing heavily in renewables; experts believe its coal use may have already peaked.

India, too, is scaling up its clean energy plans, which could curb coal growth in the coming years. These efforts suggest a global transition is possible.

Most OECD countries are on track to phase out coal by 2030, aligning with the Paris Agreement. Germany plans to increase its share of renewables from 32% today to 80% by 2030.

Australia is targeting a similar leap, from 36% to 81%. Even countries with slower progress, like Japan and South Korea, are setting reduction goals.

The ultimate objective is to achieve net-zero electricity systems by 2035. This will require eliminating coal and reducing reliance on natural gas.

With renewables now cheaper and more accessible than ever, the goal is within reach for many nations.

“Coal power is on its way out in the world’s richest economies,” says Dave Jones, Ember’s Global Insights Programme Director. “It may surprise some that the shift was not primarily to gas, but directly to solar and wind.”