Energy Security

In 2017, the Powering Past Coal Alliance brought together governments, businesses and organisations who are united in taking action to accelerate clean growth and climate protection through the rapid phase-out of unabated coal power. Even then it was clear those countries moving to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies were already seeing environmental, economic and human health benefits. 

Since then, the transition away from coal power generation has further intensified. The pipeline of new plant proposals has plummeted by 76%, while the vast majority of OECD and EU countries have committed to phasing out coal power generation. Canada will phase out coal in 2030 and the subnational province of Alberta plans to phase out coal in 2023 – seven years earlier than expected, joining the Canadian province of Ontario – which was the first jurisdiction in North America to end coal power generation nearly 10 years ago. The cost of renewables has continued to fall, with investments in wind, solar, and electricity storage now cheaper than both new and existing coal-powered energy generation in many countries. 

The latest science has given clear instructions: to keep temperature rise to 1.5 C°, we need a full phase-out of coal power in OECD countries over the current decade and across the rest of the world by 2040. 

As the world faces a cascade of negative impacts resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fossil fuels have seen huge price spikes that are damaging economies, pushing up consumer bills, and causing disruptions to electricity supply. Policy makers around the world are grappling with responses to this complex set of challenges. Attention is focused on maintaining energy security, reducing costs, and protecting consumers. 

The PPCA and its members affirm that clean energy – not coal – is a solution to the energy security crisis. New coal power plants make no more sense now than they did six months ago: they are yesterday’s technology not fit for tomorrow’s world. 

Coal is not a long-term solution to the current energy security crisis because the key technical and economic factors that have caused its structural decline all remain in place.    

All PPCA members remain strongly committed to ambitious goals for the phase out of unabated coal-fired power generation in a just and timely manner. Now more than ever, governments must work together to accelerate the transition away from coal power, not only to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change, but also to ensure geopolitical stability, energy security and affordable power prices. The PPCA and its members stand ready to share their experience and expertise on how to phase out emissions from coal power while ensuring a stable supply of electricity for households and businesses. Working together, we can continue swiftly towards a safer future for all.