Global demand for coal is on track to rise 1.2% in 2026 to a record 8.94 billion tonnes, according to the International Energy Agency, as the war between the U.S. and Iran continues to disrupt energy markets and push countries back toward the carbon-intensive fuel. The forecast, reported by Breitbart, marks another year in which the anticipated decline of coal has failed to materialize.
The IEA attributed the increase to a combination of factors: interruptions to oil and liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which have driven up prices and encouraged higher electricity generation from coal in countries with gas-fired power fleets and spare coal capacity. Although virtually no coal passes through the Strait — the Middle East is neither a major producer nor consumer of the fuel — the war’s impact on natural gas prices has rippled through coal markets.
“Disruptions to oil and liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S.-Iran war started have driven up prices and encouraged higher electricity generation from coal in countries that have gas-fired power fleets and spare coal capacity,” the IEA said in an update on the coal sector.
The resulting drop in LNG shipments has made natural gas more expensive across Asia and Europe, making coal a more attractive option for utilities and industrial users.
Europe, Asia Lead the Surge
The shift toward coal is most pronounced in Europe, Japan, Korea, and China, where consumption has exceeded earlier expectations. In China, the world’s largest coal user, demand is being driven not only by power generation but also by the chemicals industry, which relies on coal as a feedstock when oil prices are high. That dynamic has come at the expense of solar and wind generation, which had been expected to displace more coal-fired power.
U.S. coal consumption also rose, supported by strong electricity demand, higher natural gas prices, and policy measures favoring domestic energy production.
The IEA had initially expected global coal production to decline in 2026 after reaching a record high in 2025. But current estimates suggest output could rise once again, cementing coal’s status as one of the world’s most sought-after commodities.
The agency noted that tight supply, combined with these demand factors, is contributing to higher coal prices around the world.
A Reversal of Expectations
The latest figures represent a setback for climate advocates who have pushed for a rapid phase-out of coal in favor of renewable energy. For years, international bodies and environmental groups have forecast a steady decline in coal use as solar and wind capacity expands and governments implement stricter emissions regulations. Instead, coal has proven resilient, particularly during periods of geopolitical instability that disrupt other energy sources.
The war between the U.S. and Iran, now in its latest phase, has highlighted the fragility of global energy supply chains. With LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz severely reduced, countries that had invested heavily in gas-fired power plants are finding themselves scrambling for alternatives. Coal, which can be stockpiled and burned without the need for specialized import terminals, has filled the gap.
Analysts have pointed out that coal’s resurgence is not merely a short-term blip. The combination of high oil prices, strong electricity demand in developing economies, and policy support in the United States suggests that coal will remain a major part of the global energy mix for years to come.
The IEA’s report underscores a stark reality: despite decades of climate warnings and billions of dollars in renewable subsidies, the world is burning more coal than ever before. The record 8.94 billion tonnes forecast for 2026 surpasses the previous high set in 2025 and represents a 1.2% increase year-over-year.
For the coal industry, the news is a vindication of arguments that the fuel remains essential for reliable, affordable power. For climate doomers, as Breitbart characterized them, it is another sign that their hoped-for transition is not happening fast enough.
Whether the trend continues into 2027 will depend on a range of factors, including the trajectory of the U.S.-Iran conflict, natural gas prices, and the pace of renewable energy adoption. But for now, King Coal is not abdicating.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2026/09/15/king-coal-defies-doomers-to-rule-the-energy-industry-with-record-sales/