Asian countries are increasing their reliance on coal as the ongoing war in Iran disrupts oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, exposing the region’s dependence on imported fuels. Much of these supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for roughly a fifth of global oil and gas trade.
LNG, which is natural gas cooled to a liquid for easier transport, has been promoted as a bridge fuel in the transition from coal and oil to cleaner energy. While it emits less carbon than coal, it still contributes significantly to climate change through methane emissions.
The Iran conflict has prompted countries to revert to coal to cover LNG shortfalls. India is increasing coal use to meet rising summer demand, South Korea has lifted caps on coal-generated electricity, and Indonesia is prioritizing domestic supply. Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam are also expanding coal-fired power generation.
Experts warn that the shift to coal, while necessary in the short term, risks worsening urban air pollution, slowing the transition to renewable energy, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Julia Skorupska of the Powering Past Coal Alliance described the trend as “a real sort of warning” of Asia’s vulnerability to energy shocks.
Coal remains central to emergency energy planning in Asia due to its wide availability. China, the world’s top coal consumer, has built record coal power capacity since 2021 to bolster energy security. India, the second-largest consumer, is preparing for a hot summer with peak electricity demand expected to reach 270 gigawatts.
Regional coal markets are also vulnerable to price volatility. Indonesia, the world’s largest coal exporter, is prioritizing domestic use, tightening regional supplies. Coal prices, set globally, have risen 13% since the Iran war began, affecting Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Experts caution that continued reliance on coal undermines long-term efforts to phase out fossil fuels. South Korea and Indonesia have ambitious renewable energy targets, but rising coal use and existing infrastructure challenges make the transition more difficult.
Coal-fired power also carries serious health risks. Fine particulate emissions contribute to heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. In India, where all 1.4 billion residents breathe unsafe levels of air pollution, regulations have been temporarily eased to address fuel shortages. Vietnam faces similar challenges, prompting efforts to promote electric vehicles and reduce coal dependence.
Lan Nguyen, a shop owner in Hanoi, summarized the dilemma: “I know coal is essential for electricity right now, but I worry for my asthmatic son’s health every day.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
