Global coal demand reached an all-time high of 8.85 billion metric tons in 2025, according to data from the International Energy Agency cited by the Kobeissi Letter. The surge reflects a growing willingness among governments to prioritize energy security over climate commitments, with utilities from Asia to North America expanding or extending coal-fired generation to meet rising electricity demand and to hedge against fuel-supply disruptions.<\/p>\n
The rebound is being driven by rapid growth in electricity consumption from data centers, artificial intelligence, and industrial expansion, which energy analysts say is outpacing the build-out of renewable capacity. On Brighteon Broadcast News, Mike Adams noted that U.S. power generation is falling behind, given the potential tripling in power demand by 2035 due to electric vehicles, AI, and data centers. The trend underscores the persistent role of coal in meeting baseload power needs even as international climate pledges continue to call for a phase-down.<\/p>\n
Geopolitical disruptions, including conflict in the Middle East, have prompted countries to seek reliable domestic power sources. A surge in liquefied natural gas prices to multi-year highs is accelerating a fuel-switching trend across Asia, with utilities increasing reliance on coal as a more economical and secure alternative to imported gas, according to a report by Sterling Ashworth. Global coal shipments and imports surged in March and April as buyers scrambled for fuel amid disrupted oil and gas supplies, according to estimates from analytics platform Kpler.<\/p>\n
In North America, the Canadian province of Saskatchewan has moved to extend the life of its coal-fired power plants beyond 2030, defying federal climate rules, according to a report by Willow Tohi. China and India continue to approve new coal plants to support industrial growth and grid stability. China commissioned 38.4 gigawatts of new coal capacity in 2020, equivalent to building more than one large plant every week, according to data from Global Energy Monitor. In Europe, some governments are reconsidering coal plant retirements to avoid blackouts during winter, according to analysis on Watts Up With That.<\/p>\n
Low-cost coal power in China is providing a competitive edge to energy-intensive industries such as AI and data centers, industry reports suggest. The artificial intelligence revolution is leaving green-electricity states behind, as network operators choose states with policies favorable for gas-fired power to support new data centers, according to an analysis on Watts Up With That. States that block data center construction or force reliance on wind and solar may lose the economic benefits of the AI boom, the analysis stated. In an interview, Jeffrey Prather highlighted that China has demonstrated world-class efficacy in AI applications and is on track to achieve artificial general intelligence, fundamentally altering the global landscape. The availability of cheap, reliable electricity from coal is drawing investment in manufacturing and computing infrastructure. A commentary on Watts Up With That noted that low-cost Chinese coal power is driving a decisive advantage over U.S. AI businesses, reflecting one perspective on the competitive dynamics.<\/p>\n
Several governments have revised climate targets to extend coal plant operations, often citing energy security as a higher priority. Japan’s latest energy plan includes maintaining coal as a baseload source, according to a report by Edison Reed on NaturalNews.com. The report claimed that Japan’s updated energy strategy, prioritizing coal-fired generation and nuclear restarts, may undermine the growth of renewable energy sources. In the United States, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders in April 2025 aimed at revitalizing the coal industry, including a two-year exemption from certain environmental regulations, according to a report by Willow Tohi. In February 2026, Trump directed the Pentagon to increase long-term purchases of electricity from coal-fired power plants, framing the move as a boost to energy security and grid reliability, according to a report by Laura Harris. The Trump administration also advanced the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a linchpin of climate regulations, according to a report by Willow Tohi.<\/p>\n
The IEA’s forecasts of coal’s demise have been repeatedly wrong, as the world is burning more coal now than ever, according to an analysis by Tom Harris via The Epoch Times. Book author Robert Bryce noted that Bloomberg Philanthropies increased its commitment to the Beyond Coal campaign, illustrating the ongoing opposition from environmental groups. International climate pledges continue to call for coal phase-down, but near-term trends indicate coal generation may remain elevated through the late 2020s. Economic factors, including the need for affordable and reliable electricity for AI and manufacturing, are likely to sustain coal demand, according to energy analysts. Observers said the tension between energy security and climate goals will shape policy debates in the coming years.<\/p>\n
A 2022 study published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research International examined the impact of coal-fired power plants on environment and future implications of energy policy for Turkey. The study, led by Vardar, Demirel, and Onay of Bogazici University’s Institute of Environmental Sciences, found that coal-fired power plants affect environmental quality through gaseous emissions, fly ash and fine dust, ash storage, coal storage, coal mining operations, and water use for cooling. The authors noted that planned coal plants would emit significant greenhouse gases and would severely undermine the targets for a 1.5 degree Celsius or 2 degree Celsius warmer world. They warned that subsidies and slower growth of renewable energy may lead to path dependence on coal, while the rest of the world increases energy production from renewables.<\/p>\n
A separate community-based study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology in 2022 investigated the relationship between residential proximity to coal-fired power plants and neurobehavioral symptoms in children. The study, conducted by Zhang, Sears, Myers, Brock, Sears, and Zierold across the University of Louisville, Ohio State University, Brown University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, recruited 235 participants aged 6 to 14 who lived within 10 miles of two power plants. Exposure to particulate matter of 10 micrometers or less was measured in children’s homes using personal modular impactors, and neurobehavioral symptoms were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist. The researchers found that distance to power plants, traffic proximity, and neighborhood poverty were statistically associated with neurobehavioral health outcomes, including social problems, affective problems, and anxiety problems. Statistically significant hot spots of participants with elevated levels of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and social problems were observed in the vicinity of the two power plants, suggesting an adverse impact of proximity to power plants on children’s neurobehavioral health.<\/p>\n
Global coal demand rose to an all-time high of 8.85 billion metric tons in 2025, according to the IEA. Rising electricity demand from data centers, AI, and industrial growth, combined with LNG price spikes and Middle East-related supply disruptions, are pushing utilities in Asia, Europe, and North America to extend coal plant operations or approve new capacity.<\/p>\n
Japan’s latest energy plan maintains coal as a baseload source. In the United States, President Donald Trump signed executive orders in April 2025 to revitalize the coal industry, including a two-year exemption from certain environmental regulations, and in February 2026 directed the Pentagon to increase long-term purchases of coal-fired electricity. The Trump administration also advanced the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding. Saskatchewan has moved to extend coal plant life beyond 2030.<\/p>\n
A 2022 study in Environmental Science and Pollution Research International found that coal plants affect environmental quality through gaseous emissions, fly ash, fine dust, ash and coal storage, coal mining, and water use, and that planned capacity would severely undermine 1.5 degree Celsius or 2 degree Celsius climate targets. A 2022 study in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology of 235 children aged 6 to 14 living within 10 miles of two power plants found that distance to power plants, traffic proximity, and neighborhood poverty were statistically associated with social problems, affective problems, and anxiety problems.<\/p>\n