Coal prices climbed toward $140 per ton in late August, reaching a two-month high as robust global energy demand coincided with persistent concerns over supply. Coal remains the world’s largest source of power generation, producing nearly 11,000 TWh in 2026, while surging electricity demand is slowing efforts to displace the fuel with renewable energy. The IEA also expects coal to remain the largest single source of power generation through 2030, with no individual alternative coming close to replacing it. The prolonged Middle East conflict, which tightened global LNG supplies and drove energy prices higher, further strengthened the outlook for coal demand. Meanwhile, as many as 45 coal-fired power plants in India are operating with critically low coal stocks as electricity demand rises amid a strong El Niño, while supply has been disrupted by monsoon rains.