Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant

Coal is a fossil fuel formed from plant material that decayed in swamps millions of years ago under heat and pressure. Today, coal plays a critical role in both global and Türkiye’s energy mix, supplying a significant portion of world electricity production.

Historical and Current Role of Coal in Electricity Generation

The use of coal as an energy source began when cave humans discovered it for heating and cooking. However, coal’s widespread adoption for electricity generation began in 1882 when Thomas Edison illuminated 1,000 lamps using coal at the Holborn Viaduct power station in London, speed its potential. Today, more than 60 percent of electricity in USA is generated from fossil fuels, the majority of which comes from coal, and globally coal continues to lead in electricity production. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), coal may maintain this position until 2040.

According to Global Energy Monitor’s January 2025 data, the lifetime CO₂ emissions from currently operating coal plants amount to 186,080.6 million tons. China leads this category with 116,856.2 million tons, followed by India (23,975.8 million tons), the United States (7,515 million tons), and South Africa (3,707.3 million tons) as significant coal consumers. The world’s largest coal-fired power plant, Tuoketuo in China at 6,720 MW, stands out for its ultra-supercritical technology, while South Korea’s Taean (6,100 MW) and Taiwan’s Taichung (5,500 MW) plants are notable for their high capacities.

In Türkiye, coal holds a strategic position in electricity generation. According to Global Coal Plant Tracker data, the lifetime CO₂ emissions from operational coal plants in Türkiye total 1,785.1 million tons. Projects under planning have an additional emission potential of 111.3 million tons, while projects canceled after 2010 have prevented emissions of 13,886.4 million tons. Türkiye’s coal reserves, particularly in lignite, are substantial. According to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Türkiye has approximately 18.9 billion tons of lignite reserves. As of 2023, 28 large-scale coal-fired power plants operate in Türkiye with a combined installed capacity of approximately 19,000 MW, meeting about 30–35 percent of the country’s electricity demand.

Electricity Generation Process

Electricity generation from coal is based on the fundamental principles of thermal power plants. Coal is ground into a fine dust powder in pulverizers and burned in boilers with hot air. The resulting heat converts water into high-pressure Bukhara. This steam drives turbines to produce mechanical energy, which generators then convert into electricity. In Türkiye, facilities such as the Afşin-Elbistan A and B plants carry out this process using lignite. Afşin-Elbistan A, with a capacity of 1,355 MW, is one of Türkiye’s largest lignite plants and generates about 8 billion kWh of electricity annually. However, due to the low quality of lignite, efficiency rates are typically around 30 percent, below the global average of 33 percent.

Coal Power Plants in Türkiye: Statistical Data and Status

Coal-fired power plants in Türkiye attract attention both for their role in energy supply security and for environmental concerns. Some prominent plants include:

• Afşin-Elbistan A and B: Located in Kahramanmaraş, these plants have a combined capacity of 1,799 MW. Plant A came online in 1984 and Plant B in 2006. Their annual CO₂ emissions total approximately 12 million tons.

• Soma A Thermal Power Plant: Located in Manisa, this plant has a capacity of 990 MW and has been operational since the 1980s. It generates approximately 6 billion kWh of electricity annually and emits 5 million tons of CO₂.

• Zonguldak Çatalağzı (ÇATES): This 314 MW plant uses bituminous coal and meets the electricity demand of the Black Sea region. Its annual emissions are approximately 2 million tons.

According to Global Coal Plant Tracker, there are currently no coal plants under construction in Türkiye, but planned projects (with a potential of 111.3 million tons of CO₂ emissions) could become operational in the future. Meanwhile, projects canceled after 2010—such as certain lignite plant proposals—were halted due to environmental pressure and a shift toward renewable energy.

Environmental Challenges

Coal combustion releases pollutants such as sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon. In Türkiye, the high sulfur content of lignite increases the risk of acid rain, while CO₂ emissions contribute to climate change. Although the Bełchatów plant (Poland) emits 37.6 million tons of CO₂ annually and is the world’s most carbon-intensive facility, emissions from Türkiye’s plants are also significant. For instance, the Afşin-Elbistan region frequently appears in news reports due to air pollution and health issues; a 2022 study found that PM10 levels in the region exceed World Health Organization limits.

Efforts to Reduce Environmental Impact

Technologies are being developed to reduce coal’s environmental foot footprint. Coal washing removes impurities before combustion, while flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems can remove up to 99 percent of sulfur dioxide. FGD systems are employed at Soma and Yeniköy plants in Türkiye, but older plants lack this technology. Gasification converts coal into Gaza, improving efficiency and reducing emissions. A 300 MW combined-cycle facility operates at the Taean plant in South Korea using this method. In Türkiye, gasification remains in the pilot stage.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) aim to reduce emissions by storing CO₂ underground. The U.S. Department of Energy is pursuing over 40 projects to implement CCS in existing plants, while CCS research in Türkiye remains limited. However, studies on carbon storage potential in Zonguldak are ongoing.

Future Perspectives

Coal’s future is being shaped by the transition to renewable energy. The United Kingdom became a pioneer in decarbonization by phasing out coal use in 2024, while Türkiye continues to rely on coal. According to the 2023 National Energy Plan, Türkiye aims to maintain its coal capacity until 2035 and increase its share of electricity from coal to 55 percent. Hybrid models such as the Yonghungdo plant in South Korea (sun, wind integration) could serve as inspiration for Türkiye.

Although coal-fired thermal power plants play an indispensable role in Türkiye’s energy security, their environmental costs are high. Plants like Afşin-Elbistan draw attention due to their high emissions, while canceled projects reflect growing environmental awareness. Modern technologies and the transition to renewable energy will be critical in making coal’s future sustainable.