U.S. Coal Plant Retirements in 2025 Hit Lowest Level in 15 Years
In 2025, the U.S. electric power sector retired 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired generating capacity, marking the lowest level of retirements since 2010. Initially, operators planned to retire 8.5 GW, but several retirements were delayed or canceled. Notably, the Intermountain Power Project in Utah, the largest plant retired, was replaced by a new natural gas facility. The U.S. Department of Energy issued emergency orders to keep some plants operational to ensure grid reliability. Looking ahead, 6.4 GW of coal capacity is scheduled for retirement in 2026, though these plans may change based on regulatory and economic factors.