Asia turns to coal amid energy crisis
Energy shortfalls from Iran conflict push countries to increase coal use, while renewables offer more stable long-term supply.
Image for illustrative purposes
Governments across Asia are increasing coal use to cover energy shortages caused by the US-Israel war on Iran. Countries from South Korea to the Philippines are boosting coal-fired power output to compensate for disrupted imports from the Middle East.
South Korea has postponed the closure of coal plants and lifted electricity caps on coal, while Thailand has raised production at its largest coal plant. The Philippines, facing a declared national energy emergency, is also expanding coal operations. In South Asia, India has instructed coal plants to run at full capacity, and Bangladesh has increased coal-fired generation and imports.
The crisis is largely due to LNG supply cuts from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and strikes at a major Qatari LNG facility, removing nearly 30 billion m3 from global markets, with more than 80 % affecting the Indo-Pacific region. Experts warn that shortages will persist for years, not weeks.
Despite short-term coal increases, countries are also accelerating renewables. India has fast-tracked wind and battery projects, while experts from King’s College London and Ember stress that homegrown renewable energy improves energy security and resilience.
To cope with shortages, governments are implementing energy-saving measures. The Philippines and Sri Lanka have introduced four-day workweeks for public staff, Vietnam encourages remote work, Bangladesh closed universities early for holidays, and Pakistan shifted schools to online learning.
Henning Gloystein of Eurasia Group warned that LNG recovery will take years, and energy policies should avoid locking in new coal infrastructure. Analysts emphasise that renewables offer a safer, more sustainable solution for long-term energy security.
Source: The Guardian
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