An increasing number of Asian countries are opting to rely once again\non coal to ensure stable electricity supplies amid disruptions in gas\nsupplies from the Middle East. This move is sparking new concerns from\nclimate experts, who argue that the energy crisis could slow the\ntransition to clean energy.<\/p>\n
Governments across various Asian countries are boosting coal usage to\naddress energy shortages triggered by the war between the United States\n(US) and Israel against Iran. Experts are warning of the environmental\nimpacts of this decision while calling for accelerated investments in\nrenewable energy.<\/p>\n
In the region from East Asia to South Asia, governments are\nattempting to compensate for the decline in imported energy supplies,\nmuch of which originates from the Middle East.<\/p>\n
South Korea, for instance, has postponed the closure of coal-fired\npower plants and lifted restrictions on electricity production from\ncoal. Meanwhile, Thailand is increasing output at the country\u2019s largest\ncoal-fired power plant.<\/p>\n
The Philippines has even declared a \u201cnational energy emergency\u201d due\nto the war and plans to ramp up operations at steam power plants\n(PLTU).<\/p>\n
In South Asia, India, which relies on coal for nearly 75% of its\nelectricity generation, has instructed coal plants to operate at maximum\ncapacity and avoid scheduled shutdowns. Bangladesh is also boosting\ncoal-based electricity production and imports of coal in March.<\/p>\n
The surge in coal usage is occurring as countries race to fill supply\ngaps, particularly in liquefied natural gas (LNG), which was previously\npromoted as a transitional fuel towards cleaner energy. Many Asian\ncountries use LNG for power generation and industries such as fertiliser\nproduction, with demand projected to double over the next 25 years.<\/p>\n
However, LNG supplies have been disrupted following the effective\nclosure of the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks on major LNG export facilities\nin Qatar have further worsened the shortages and are expected to impact\nthe energy industry for years.<\/p>\n
Henning Gloystein from Eurasia Group stated that nearly 30 billion\ncubic metres of LNG have been lost from the global supply chain, with\nmore than 80% of the shortfall occurring in the Indo-Pacific region. He\nadded that the last LNG cargoes to pass through the strait before the\nescalation of the conflict will arrive in about a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe global market has shifted in four weeks from a fairly healthy\nsupply surplus to a very severe deficit, and that will not only cause\nprice spikes but also real fuel shortages,\u201d he said, as reported by The\nGuardian on Wednesday (1\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
He assessed that countries with coal reserves will utilise them as\nthe quickest solution. \u201cCountries that have coal reserves will use them\nbecause it\u2019s the fastest and cheapest way to replace LNG,\u201d he said,\nnoting that India is also increasing renewable energy.<\/p>\n
Gloystein warned that recovery of LNG supplies will take a long time.\n\u201cThis isn\u2019t a short-term issue; people hope for some de-escalation or\nceasefire next week and things return to normal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will last for a while because the damage done will take years\nto repair,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Pauline Heinrichs, a climate expert from King\u2019s College London, said\nthis crisis should be a turning point. According to her, the current\nenergy crisis underscores the importance of renewable energy.<\/p>\n
\u201cRenewables are not just a climate priority but ultimately for\nbroader energy security in Asia. Economies with a large share of\nrenewables are actually less vulnerable,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Heinrichs warned against making coal usage permanent. \u201cWe need to\nlearn that this is a moment to break the cycle of responding to\nshort-term fuel shocks with investments in fossil fuels, because it\u2019s\nnever short-term\u2014it\u2019s always long-term infrastructure investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dinita Setyawati from the energy research institute Ember echoed the\nsentiment. \u201cIt\u2019s not sustainable to rely on coal,\u201d she said. \u201cDomestic\nrenewables are clearly the way to enhance energy security and\nresilience,\u201d she added, as quoted by The Guardian.<\/p>\n
In addition to increasing coal usage, Asian countries are also\nseeking ways to conserve energy.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/energy-crisis-becomes-more-apparent-asian-countries-return-to-coal-1775106576", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }