BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 26. Global coal demand continued to rise in 2024, with Developing Asia accounting for nearly 80% of consumption, up from less than 40% in 2000, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Trend reports.
China, the world's largest coal consumer, saw demand grow by 1.2% (43 Mtce), reaching an all-time high. The country now consumes almost 40% more coal than the rest of the world combined, with power generation being the primary driver. In 2024, China's electricity demand rose 7%, and coal generation increased by 1.2% to fill the supply gap despite significant growth in renewable energy and hydropower, the IEA reported.
India, the second-largest coal consumer, also saw demand grow by 5.5% (40 Mtce), driven by economic growth in both the power and industrial sectors. Coal-based power generation and industrial activities, such as steel and sponge iron production, contributed to this increase.
Southeast Asia’s coal consumption grew by 8% (25 Mtce) in 2024, led by countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, with Indonesia's metallurgical industries driving much of the growth.
In contrast, advanced economies, including the U.S. and the EU, saw further declines in coal consumption. The U.S. experienced a 4% drop, while the EU’s coal demand fell by 10%, continuing a downward trend as more countries phase out coal plants.
Overall, global coal-based electricity generation grew by 90 TWh in 2024, but the increase in renewable energy and nuclear output helped limit the rise in coal demand.