Global Coal Demand Defies Doomers As Consumption Hits Record High
Coal continues to defy climate doomers who demand it be replaced in power generation sooner rather than later. [some emphasis, links added]
The latest sales figures affirm that dominance, with global coal demand forecast to rise by 1.2 percent in 2026 to a record 8.94 billion tons and driven by the Middle East conflict and an almost insatiable global hunger for a dependable power source, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.
Disruptions to oil and liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S.-Iran war started have driven up prices, encouraging higher electricity generation from coal in countries with gas-fired power fleets and spare coal capacity, the IEA added in an update on the coal sector.
Higher coal use is most marked in Europe, Japan, Korea, China, and other markets, exceeding what was previously expected.
Although virtually no coal shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz — as the Middle East is neither a major producer nor consumer of coal — disruptions associated with the war have nonetheless affected coal markets by driving up natural gas prices due to the huge drop in liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments through the troubled Strait, the IEA makes clear.
For its part, China’s coal use leads the world and is rising as it produces chemical products, driven by high oil prices and a shift away from solar- and wind-generated “clean energy” sources.
U.S. coal consumption rose amid strong electricity demand, higher natural gas prices, and policy support.
After reaching a record high in 2025, global coal production was expected to decline in 2026, but current estimates suggest it could rise again as one of the world’s most sought-after commodities.
Together, these factors – along with tight supply – are contributing to higher coal prices around the world, the IEA report concludes.
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