Top 10 developments in coal, nuclear and grid modernization in 2025

Here is my list, the first six are international, the last four are national news and developments.

- BIENVENIDO S. OPLAS JR.

One, global coal generation keeps rising despite continuing anti-fossil fuel narratives. Coal generation in terawatt-hours (TWh) increased from 3,748 in 1985 to 7,361 in 2005, 9,418 in 2015, 10,613 in 2024 and is projected to be flat at a similar level in 2025. China remains the most coal-intensive country in the world, from only 261 TWh in 1985 to 1,980 in 2005, 4,046 in 2015 and 5,828 in 2024.

Two, the UK has the fastest coal phaseout, from a high of 210 TWh in 1987 down to 136 in 2007, only 1.9 in 2024 and zero in 2025 after shutting down its last coal plant in September 2024. Japan’s JERA Co. is transitioning one of its coal units with 1,000 MW capacity into ammonia co-generation.

Three, global nuclear generation increased then flattened. From 370 TWh in 1975 to 2,322 in 1995, 2,768 in 2010 before the Fukushima tsunami incident, 2,818 in 2024 and is projected to remain at the same level in 2025. The US remains the largest nuclear power producer, from 182 TWh in 1975 to 823 in 2005 and flat at 823 in 2024. The biggest surprise is the United Arab Emirates, from zero until 2019 to 41 in 2024 and projected at 43 TWh in 2025.

Four, small modular reactors (SMRs) have become prominent in 2025 as future co-located power suppliers of energy-intensive data centers in many countries.