Coal-fired power generation sees resurgence as nations prioritize energy security over climate targets

Global coal-fired power generation is increasing as countries prioritize energy security over climate targets, according to recent International Energy Agency (IEA) data and national energy ministries. Global coal demand rose to an all-time high of 8.85 billion metric tons in 2025, driven by rising electricity demand and supply disruptions, particularly in Asia and parts of Europe. The surge is being amplified by power needs from data centers, artificial intelligence workloads, and industrial growth that are outpacing the expansion of renewable capacity.

What is driving the global coal resurgence?

Geopolitical disruptions, including conflict in the Middle East, have pushed countries to seek reliable domestic power sources. A surge in liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices to multi-year highs has accelerated a fuel-switching trend across Asia, with utilities turning to coal as a more economical and secure alternative to expensive imported gas. Global coal shipments and imports spiked in March and April as buyers scrambled for fuel amid disrupted oil and gas supplies, according to analytics platform Kpler.

Mike Adams, in a Brighteon Broadcast News interview, 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, the steady minimum output required to keep grids stable.

How are countries responding to energy security concerns?

Several governments have revised climate targets to extend coal plant operations, often citing energy security as a higher priority. 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. 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 Global Energy Monitor.

European governments are also reconsidering coal plant retirements to avoid blackouts during winter, amid rising public anger over energy costs and supply instability.

Why does coal matter for AI and data centers?

Low-cost coal power in China is providing a competitive edge to energy-intensive industries such as AI and data centers. The AI revolution is leaving green-electricity states behind, as network operators choose states with policies favorable for gas-fired power to support new data centers. States that block data center construction or force reliance on wind and solar may lose the economic benefits of the AI boom, according to analysis on Watts Up With That. One commentary noted that low-cost Chinese coal power is driving a decisive advantage over U.S. AI businesses.

In a separate 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.

What policy shifts are supporting coal?

Japan’s latest energy plan includes maintaining coal as a baseload source, with the country’s updated strategy prioritizing coal-fired generation and nuclear restarts. 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. 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. The Trump administration also advanced the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a regulatory determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health and which has served as the legal basis for many U.S. climate rules.

What are the environmental and health concerns?

Proponents of coal argue that modern emission-control technologies can reduce environmental impacts, while critics highlight remaining pollution and carbon concerns. The IEA’s forecasts of coal’s demise have been repeatedly wrong, as the world is burning more coal now than ever, according to 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.

A 2022 study published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research International examined the impacts of coal-fired power plants on environment and energy policy in Turkey. The authors found that coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) emit greenhouse gases, fly ash, and fine dust, and that subsidies combined with exemptions from environmental regulations may lead to a path dependence on coal. They concluded that increasing the share of renewable energy sources is particularly important for Turkey due to its geographic vulnerability to climate change.

A separate 2021 community-based study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, investigated proximity to coal-fired power plants and neurobehavioral symptoms in children. The researchers recruited 235 participants aged 6 to 14 who lived within 10 miles of two power plants, measuring particulate matter exposure at home and assessing symptoms using the Child Behavior Checklist. They found statistically significant hotspots of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and social problems in the vicinity of the two plants, suggesting an adverse impact of proximity to power plants on children’s neurobehavioral health.

What is the outlook for coal generation?

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.

FAQ

How much did global coal demand grow in 2025?

Global coal demand reached an all-time high of 8.85 billion metric tons in 2025, according to an International Energy Agency report cited by the Kobeissi Letter.

Why are countries restarting or extending coal plants?

Governments cite energy security, rising electricity demand from AI and data centers, volatile LNG prices, and disrupted oil and gas supplies. Several countries, including Japan and Canada (Saskatchewan), have moved to maintain or extend coal plant operations.

What are the health risks associated with coal-fired power plants?

A 2021 study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology found statistically significant hotspots of ADHD, anxiety, and social problems in children living near two coal-fired power plants, suggesting an adverse impact of proximity on neurobehavioral health.

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