Natural Gas Matches Coal in Electricity Generation for First Time

According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), natural gas has matched coal in electricity generation for the first time last year in OECD countries. The trend is clear: while coal generation continues to decline, natural gas production remains steady and is expected to grow further.

The IEA's data shows that renewable energy sources have increased significantly, reaching around 8.5% of total electricity generation. Meanwhile, coal-fired power plants saw a sharp decline in their share, dropping from nearly 40% to around 27% last year.

One reason for the shift away from coal is the increasing cost of emissions, which has made natural gas a more attractive option for utilities and consumers alike. In the UK, for example, the carbon tax has driven down coal-fired generation in favor of natural gas.