Rising Global Coal Consumption Reaches Record Levels - Should Zimbabwe Proceed with Hwange's Enlargement?
In 2024, the world witnessed a significant increase in coal consumption, reaching approximately 8.8 billion tonnes, a 1.5% rise from the previous year [1][2]. This surge in global coal usage was primarily driven by Asian countries, with China and India accounting for a majority share.
China, the world's leading coal consumer, used about 92.2 exajoules of coal energy in 2024, representing 56% of global coal consumption [4]. India, too, made a substantial contribution to coal demand, supporting its rapid industrialization and economic growth. Together with ASEAN countries, China and India accounted for 77% of global coal demand in 2024 [2].
Notably, Hwange Power Station in Zimbabwe, the country's largest coal-fired power plant, uses approximately 2 million tonnes of coal per year. However, in 2021, its coal usage was 466,498 tonnes less than its estimated annual consumption [5]. This decrease in coal consumption at Hwange Power Station is insignificant at the global scale, even if Zimbabwe were to move away from coal completely [6].
Meanwhile, Hwange Colliery Company Limited delivered 733,102 tonnes of coal to Hwange Power Station in 2021 [7]. The company is planning to upgrade Units 1-6 of the power plants by the end of 2025, with Units 7 and 8 already upgraded last year [8].
India's coal demand is expected to reach 1.3 billion tonnes in the future, surpassing the combined usage of the EU and the US [9]. Despite this, early 2025 data shows that both China and India are experiencing declining coal demand due to slower electricity consumption growth and expanding renewable energy capacity [1].
Coal production growth was fastest in Mongolia (27.7%) and regions including the Middle East, Turkey, Zimbabwe, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, while production declined in Europe, the US, and Canada [3]. This shift in coal production patterns underscores the growing global focus on renewable energy and the move away from fossil fuels.
In conclusion, while Asia, particularly China and India, remain central to global coal demand trends, the momentum may be shifting towards more renewable energy reliance in these countries in 2025 and beyond.
References: 1. International Energy Agency (IEA) Report, 2025 2. BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 2025 3. World Coal Association, 2025 4. China National Coal Association, 2024 5. Hwange Colliery Company Limited, 2021 Annual Report 6. IEA Report, 2021 7. Hwange Colliery Company Limited, 2021 Coal Delivery Data 8. Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, 2022 9. Indian Ministry of Coal, 2025 Projections
- The global shift towards renewable energy is evident in the decline of coal demand in both China and India, as reported in early 2025 data.
- The focus on renewable energy is underscored by the growth in coal production in regions such as Mongolia, Middle East, Turkey, Zimbabwe, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, while production drops in Europe, US, and Canada.
- The expansion of renewable energy capacity in China and India is contributing to the decline in coal demand, as indicated by the IEA Report in 2025.
- The renewable energy industry is playing a significant role in addressing climate-change issues, as demonstrated by the declining coal demand in major consumer countries like China and India.
