Repowering the world's dirtiest assets

Coal still accounts for roughly a third of global electricity generation. Two terawatts of coal capacity remains in operation worldwide, with much of it in fast-growing economies where the political, financial, and social costs of phase-out are highest. But coal plants are not the only legacy infrastructure due for reinvention: pipelines, refineries, ports, and power grids built for a fossil fuel economy are increasingly being reimagined as assets for the clean energy era. Repurposing existing infrastructure offers one of the most pragmatic pathways to accelerating the energy transition by lowering capital costs, reducing waste, preserving local jobs, and shortening the timeline to deployment. Yet the barriers remain considerable: stranded asset risk, regulatory inertia, and a shortage of the diverse expertise needed to make these projects happen at scale. This discussion examines what it would take to convert legacy energy infrastructure into clean energy assets and asks what this means for the people, communities, and institutions who will need to deliver it. By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of BCN Climate Week.