Coal-to-X switching

Switching fuels from coal can significantly reduce power sector emissions.

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  • 500 Mt
  • Between 2010 and 2018, coal-to-gas switching saved ~500 Mt CO2 globally.

The majority of these savings were concentrated in the U.S. and China.

Emissions

Global greenhouse gas emissions – share of total (2019).

Background

Natural gas emits half as much carbon dioxide as coal to generate the same amount of electricity.

  • 50%
  • less emissions from natural gas than coal, with same efficiency.

Coal-to-X switching may also provide a path to emissions reduction in high-heat industrial processes.

  • High-heat
  • emissions reduction by switching from coal.

Particularly when coupled with methane abatement and CCUS, coal-to-gas switching is an effective solution to the Dual Challenge.

  • CCUS
  • pairs well with coal-to-X switching.

Source: Climate Watch; Our Word in Data; IEA; EIA

Current State

The shale revolution drove fuel switching in the U.S. as the economic case for switching improved.

From 2011-2019, 103 coal-fired power plants were converted to or replaced by natural gas.

Fuel switching in China has been driven primarily by air quality policies.

Solution Details

Coal-to-gas switching can occur by leveraging existing infrastructure and converting coal-fired plants to burn gas, significantly lowering switching costs.

Without policy support, economics has historically functioned as the key driver.

Broader acceleration would require robust, liquid natural gas (LNG) markets with transparent hub-based pricing to support adoption in countries lacking domestic gas reserves.

Other Solutions

CCUS in electricity & industry

CCUS in electricity & industry

Methane abatement

Methane abatement