Between 2020 and 2025, China and India are upgrading their coal plants to allow for flexible operations to support high renewable output periods. These retrofits enable faster ramp-rates and quicker hot starts, enhancing the overall efficiency of coal plants. However, such flexibility requires support mechanisms to offset higher operating costs. Meanwhile, CCUS technology is seen as a crucial solution for capturing CO2 emissions from coal plants, but its implementation is hindered by high costs. Investment incentives and policy support are deemed essential for the growth of CCUS technology in the coal power sector. Co-firing with alternative fuels like ammonia and hydrogen is emerging as a strategy to reduce emissions from coal plants. While Japan and South Korea are at the forefront of testing this technology, challenges such as high costs and additional emissions need to be addressed for widespread adoption. Overall, the article presents a positive outlook on the innovations in coal-fired plants while highlighting the hurdles that need to be overcome for a sustainable energy transition.