European nations set coal phase-out dates, facing energy transition challenges and industry resistance.
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European countries are committed to eliminating coal as a primary energy source despite criticisms of the green revolution’s pace. In Romania, the official phase-out date for coal is 2032, though this may be extended due to delays in replacing coal plants with gas and solar projects at the Oltenia Energy Complex. Hungary plans to cease using coal by 2029, despite initially aiming for 2025, while its main coal plant operates at a reduced capacity. Bulgaria has set an ambitious phase-out date of 2026, though experts suggest earlier closures due to market liberalization and the end of state purchase contracts, even if official plans extend to 2035. Poland relies heavily on coal for electricity and heat (68%), with a planned gradual replacement by renewables and nuclear power, although experts believe the final phase-out could occur sooner than the agreed-upon 2049 date. Czechia aims to eliminate coal by 2033, but its progress is hampered by slow development of renewable energy sources and opposition from influential industry figures who claim the grid would collapse without coal.
