Unrelenting Coal Demand Poses Challenge to Climate Goals
- Power crunch concerns are fueling industry’s new boom in Asia
- Safety issues to heavy rainfall have crimped mine supply
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Coal prices across Asia are surging to records, underscoring a challenge for governments seeking a faster energy transition: the dirtiest of fuels they’re racing to phase out is enjoying booming demand.
Power plants are rushing to secure adequate electricity supplies as a hot summer adds to demand from the region’s post-pandemic industrial revival. On top of that, output in some key producer nations has been hurt, while high natural gas costs mean there’s no cheaper alternative for utilities to turn to.