A recent report has unveiled a significant surge in proposed new coal mining projects globally, with plans last year that could potentially augment worldwide coal supply by an astounding 2.5 billion tonnes annually. This represents an 11% increase compared to the previous year, a trajectory that continues despite a global stabilization in coal demand, as reported by The Guardian and detailed by UNN.
Global Energy Monitor, a prominent non-governmental organization, has identified India as the primary catalyst behind this uptick in new coal mine proposals for 2025. This surge is particularly notable given the global deceleration in the opening of new mines, largely attributed to a declining demand for this fossil fuel elsewhere. The impetus for this growth within India stems almost entirely from the states of Jharkhand and Odisha, which have collectively doubled their new coal mine proposals. This ambitious expansion aligns directly with the Indian Ministry of Coal’s strategic objectives to significantly boost the nation’s coal production.
India’s strategic plan aims to escalate coal production by nearly 100 million tonnes, targeting 1.15 billion tonnes in the 2025–2026 financial year. This increase is deemed crucial for meeting the country’s burgeoning electricity demands, which are essential to sustain its rapid economic development and to mitigate the severe impacts of escalating heatwaves—a phenomenon growing in intensity and frequency due to the pervasive climate crisis. This planned increase in production, however, unfolds against a backdrop of global trends indicating a gradual pivot away from coal and towards more sustainable renewable energy sources, as highlighted by Global Energy Monitor.
Following a temporary dip in proposals for new coal mines in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, these numbers have recently begun to climb once more. This resurgence sparks considerable concern that future coal production could see an overall increase, even as the rate of new mine commissioning experiences a slowdown.
In contrast to India’s expansionist plans, Global Energy Monitor’s most recent report indicates a consistent decline in the pace at which new coal projects are being commissioned globally. Last year, new coal mines with an approximate total annual production capacity of 113 million tonnes commenced operations. This figure marks a substantial 40% reduction compared to 2024, which itself represented the lowest level of new operational mines in the past decade. This decline was predominantly influenced by significant reductions in new mine openings in China and Australia, with decreases of 44% and 96%, respectively.
Global Energy Monitor has issued a stern warning that India’s escalating number of new projects runs contrary to the International Energy Agency’s projections of a global slowdown in coal demand throughout the remainder of the decade. Adding to this narrative, a separate report by the Ember think tank revealed a landmark moment last year: wind and solar power collectively surpassed coal generation in the global energy mix for the first time. Ember hailed this as a “defining moment” in the ongoing battle against climate change. The organization further noted that while China and India were instrumental in boosting renewable electricity generation, the United States and Europe continue to exhibit a heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
Tiffany Means, a senior researcher at Global Energy Monitor and co-author of the aforementioned report, underscored the shifting economic landscape. She articulated that “the economic case for expanding coal production is becoming increasingly weaker as cheap clean energy continues to displace coal.” Means emphasized the critical juncture at which governments find themselves, stating, “Rather than locking in additional coal production for decades to come, governments have the opportunity to cancel projects that remain in the development stage before they move to construction.” This highlights a pivotal opportunity for policymakers to steer away from long-term commitments to fossil fuels and embrace a cleaner energy future.
