Global coal demand hits record high in 2024, set to plateau through 2027

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Jack Aylmer Energy Correspondent

By Jack Aylmer (Energy Correspondent), Harry Fogle (Video Editor), Ali Caldwell (Motion Graphic Designer)

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reported global coal consumption reached an all-time high of 8.7 billion metric tons in 2024. This marks another record-breaking year for one of the world’s most carbon-intensive energy sources.

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While coal demand has continued to decline in the United States and the European Union, consumption in China and India remains on the rise, driving the global surge. Both nations recorded their highest-ever coal usage this year, with China consuming 4.9 billion metric tons and India reaching 1.3 billion metric tons.

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Looking ahead, the IEA forecasts that global coal demand will stabilize at current levels, plateauing through 2027. The global energy watchdog attributes this stabilization to the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources, which are increasingly meeting the rising global demand for electricity.

However, despite the plateau, emissions from coal consumption are expected to remain high. The IEA cites the slow adoption of carbon capture technologies as a major factor prolonging the environmental impact of coal.

China, the world’s largest coal consumer, plays a pivotal role in the trajectory of global coal demand. Currently, coal accounts for around 60% of China’s electricity generation. According to the IEA, this reliance could prolong the world’s transition away from coal in the coming years.

In contrast, the United States has made efforts to reduce its dependence on coal. However, with approximately 138 million tons of unburned coal remaining in American power plants, the country’s energy policies could shift in this regard under the incoming Trump administration.

Tags: China, Climate Change, Coal, India, Nuclear energy, Renewable energy, solar power, Wind farms

[Jack Aylmer]

ONE OF THE WORLD’S DIRTIEST SOURCES OF ENERGY CONTINUES TO BREAK RECORDS.

A RECENT REPORT BY THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS THE ONGOING RISE IN COAL CONSUMPTION-

HITTING AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF NEARLY 9 BILLION METRIC TONS THIS YEAR.

WHILE COAL DEMAND IS ON THE DECLINE IN PLACES LIKE THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN UNION-

CHINA AND INDIA CONTINUE TO DRIVE A SURGE.

BOTH NATIONS SAW RECORD HIGH COAL USAGE IN 2024-

WITH CHINA CONSUMING ALMOST 5 BILLION METRIC TONS, AND INDIA USING OVER A BILLION METRIC TONS.

DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS, WORLDWIDE COAL DEMAND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN NEAR ITS CURRENT HEIGHT, AS THE IEA PROJECTS A PLATEAU THROUGH 2027.

THE GLOBAL ENERGY WATCHDOG ATTRIBUTES THIS STABILIZATION TO THE RAPID EXPANSION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES-

THAT ARE INCREASINGLY MEETING THE ONGOING SPIKE IN WORLD ELECTRICITY NEEDS.

HOWEVER, EMISSIONS FROM COAL CONSUMPTION WILL REMAIN HIGH DUE TO THE SLOW ADOPTION OF CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGIES.

THE IEA ALSO SUGGESTS THAT CHINA ALONE COULD STALL THE WORLD’S TRANSITION AWAY FROM COAL OVER THE COMING YEARS.

BEIJING STILL RELIES ON IT FOR ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF ITS ELECTRICAL GENERATION-

POTENTIALLY PROLONGING COAL’S CURRENT HIGH USAGE RATE.

MEANWHILE, THE U-S HAS MADE AN EFFORT TO REDUCE ITS RELIANCE ON THE ENERGY SOURCE –

BUT WITH 138 MILLION TONS OF COAL SITTING UNBURNED –

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THAT POLICY WILL SHIFT WITH THE INCOMING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

TO GET MORE STORIES ABOUT HOW ENERGY DEMAND CAN IMPACT THE ENVIRONMENT, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FROM ME- JACK AYLMER.