An article in Reuters called “G7 reaches deal to exit from coal by 2035” by Francesca Landini caught my eye. Here are the first two paragraphs.
“TURIN, April 29 (Reuters) – Energy ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy countries reached a deal to shut down their coal-fired power plants by 2035 at the latest, in a significant step towards the transition away from fossil fuels.
‘We have an agreement to stop using coal in the first half of 2030’s… it is an historical agreement,’ Britain’s minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Andrew Bowie told Class CNBC according to a video posted on X.”
Coal has been on the demise for awhile. The cost of competitive and cleaner energy sources have fallen to levels that take away a distant advantage for the production of coal. Truth be told, when all costs are factored in – litigation, retrieval, transport, production, maintenance, healthcare – coal is even more expensive.
I read a few years ago, building a new coal plant will become obsolete before it is finished. That is a powerful observation. Yet, one thing to know, the two last major spills of coal ash came from plants that were no longer burning coal. So coal is the gift that keeps giving even after production stops.
musingsofanoldfart 
Odd that Bowie didn’t mention that they are commissioning new gas powered energy plants. Maybe he forgot that part.
Clive, natural gas put the first nail in coal. Renewables the second. Natural gas is cleaner than coal, but not clean. It also uses a huge amount of water to acquire. It is cheaper than coal, so that is the key reason for Bowie’s move. Yet, in your neck of the woods, wind and tidal energy, which Scotland leads the way with, will be key parts oh the future. Keith
All true, Keith, but it still feels like a retrograde step, when we should be committing much more to renewables and cleaner natural sources.
Agreed. Let him know.
Keith, coal is only one of a number of fossil fuels and the G7 countries have been phasing it out for years. The fact is our world will be reliant on fossil fuels for many years to come.
All this talk regarding “clean energy” relates to industrialist countries, I’d like to know what the third world countries are going to do?
Jon, of course it will, but it needs to be phased out and doneso more quickly. Wind and solar can play a heavy role in third world countries as they can be developed without as much investment, but anything will require funding and sourcing.
Southern Australia is powered by solar energy due to Australian money, a French design company, Chinese photovoltaic panels and US batteries. This shows how it can be done. Australia is obviously not third world, but there are parts that are remote.
Keith
Keith, believe me we here in Australia are in an energy mess. Transmission lines crossing arable land cutting farms in half. Hydro schemes running years behind time and costs doubling or trebling. The bulk of our power authorities telling us to face power outages in the coming months.
If Australia is a shinning light of “clean energy”, I really do worry about the future of the Third World countries.
Jon, is it supply or demand or both. It seems Australia is catching the brunt of climate change in the summer. Keith
Keith, I am not talking politics, but this is about bad government, I support clean energy but; we are suffering bad planning.
Australia we are told has the greatest number of dwellings with roof mounted Solar power, so much so our distribution system can’t handle it!!
Our coal fired power stations are breaking down time and time again, face it they 50 years old. Replacement of whatever type should have been started 10 years or more ago.
I won’t go on, but what does this say about the chances of Third World countries handling the change?
Many of the poor buggers are still burning wood, peat or dung to cook with.
Jon, thanks for your perspective. One of the quietest things that happened in oil rich Texas is they built infrastructure to harness power from wind mills. Now, Texas gets 20% of its electricity from wind energy. It is a good lesson for all.
As for third world, any change will be hard, so why not build to the future. I am reminded when Greensburg, Kansas was destroyed by a super-tornado, they rebuilt a 100% renewable energy model. Yet, first world countries need to show they can do it before they help others. But, helping them is needed.
Keith
Good to know!!! Coal production should have ceased a decade or more ago. Next stop … oil production!
Jill, while I am not supportive of the oil industry, I do enjoy living.
No oil means no plans, ships or motor transport. Forget EV’s they are only commuter transport, they will never tow a boat or caravan, much less 50 tonne of freight.
Back to the Third World, they will still be using gasoline and diesel long after I’m looking down on them.
Jon, your point is well taken, but as the saying goes you miss all the shots you never take in a game. You reminded me of a story in Africa where a young man built his own wind mill to power his home.
If these third world countries can get help with infrastructure funding, the sun shines and wind blows in Africa. Yet, pulling big stuff as you note requires a lot of torque, so any electric vehicle will need some chutzpah to do that. But, the future awaits – solar power is much cheaper today than it was ten years ago through advancement. So, who knows what investment and focus will bring.
Keith
I enjoy living too, Jon, but I’m also willing to make some changes to my lifestyle in order to preserve the planet for future generations.
Jill, I appreciate your willingness to sacrifice some aspects of your life. I’m pleased you are in that position.. However, there are millions who have little now, so their ability to make any form of sacrifice is non existent. To them an EV is like the chariot of the Gods.
I’m no better positioned than most, but when I weigh my convenience today against survival of nearly every species in another decade or two, it seems a no-brainer to me. Especially when I hear people saying they won’t give up their gas-guzzling SUVs or gas stoves, or plane trips to wherever … none of which is necessary by any stretch of the imagination. The poor and the homeless aren’t the ones threatening the environment, for they likely don’t fly on airplanes or drive much, or use excess amounts of energy to keep a mansion at a comfortable temperature.