RE100 has updated it's technical criteria, tightening the rules around co-firing. RE100’s technical criteria no longer allow members to claim renewable electricity use from co-firing involving coal – sending a clear signal to markets and policymakers about the need for a more rapid energy transition.
Coal co-firing prolongs the damage coal does to our planet and it diverts finance and focus away from greater renewable electricity generation.
RE100 is taking a stand, to help end coal's role in the energy mix. Learn more via the Q&A below.
What is co-firing and RE100’s relationship to it?
Co-firing is the burning of two different fuels together at the same time to generate power. It often involves the burning of a renewable fuel, like biomass wood pellets, with a fossil fuel such as coal.
Under previous versions of the RE100 technical criteria, RE100 members were allowed to claim to be using renewable electricity for the ‘renewable proportion’ of a co-fired coal power plant. That made it possible, for example, to buy the renewable part of the electricity generated by a power plant that co-fires 15% biomass wood pellets with coal. The reasoning being that biomass wood pellets lowered the total amount of fossil fuels burnt.
In April 2025 however, after consultation with members, RE100’s technical criteria underwent an update in relation to coal co-firing.
What has specifically changed in the RE100 technical criteria regarding co-firing?
RE100’s updated technical criteria no longer allow members to claim renewable electricity use from co-firing that involves coal. First of all, this sends a clearer signal to markets and policymakers about the need for a more rapid energy transition. Secondly, co-firing with coal is a barrier to a quick energy transition, and with renewables use booming, it's no longer necessary.
Learn more about coal co-firing in our video.
Why has the updated RE100 technical criteria tightened the rules on co-firing?
RE100 updates its technical criteria every two years to ensure the campaign, and its members, keep accelerating the global transition to 100% renewable electricity. By ending the use of co-firing with coal by RE100 members, markets will shift towards more impactful renewables faster, speeding up grid decarbonisation.
Coal co-firing prolongs the damage coal does to our planet and keeps the demand for coal going. This diverts finance and focus away from greater renewable electricity generation and could lock coal into electricity grids for years to come.
When does this change come into force, and how is it enforced?
The change in the RE100 technical criteria around coal co-firing will be applied to RE100 companies’ reporting in the 2027 CDP disclosure cycle. For more information on reporting for members, see the RE100 reporting guidance here.