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Global coal use hits record in 2025 as power generation slips
Coal consumption rose to 166.0 exajoules in 2025, but coal-fired electricity output fell 0.3% to 10,511 terawatt-hours as coal’s share of global energy mix edged down to 27.7% from 27.9%.
Global coal consumption reached a record in 2025, even as coal-fired electricity generation declined, according to the latest Statistical Review of World Energy cited by OilPrice.
The review shows coal use climbed to 166.0 exajoules last year, up 0.7% from 2024, while coal power generation fell 0.3% to 10,511 terawatt-hours.
OilPrice notes the two trends can coexist because coal is used not only for electricity, but also for industrial processes such as steelmaking and cement production.
The piece also highlights that coal consumption rose more slowly than overall energy demand, with total global energy supply increasing from 592.2 exajoules in 2024 to 600.3 exajoules in 2025, causing coal’s share of the energy mix to slip from 27.9% to 27.7%.