The rise of demand for coal is expected to slow as China looks to cleaner energy sources, the United States turns to cheaper gas, and Europe sees the end of a temporary economic rebound, the International Energy Agency said today.
Annual demand growth for coal will grow at 2.3 per cent until 2018, down from 2.6 per cent forecast previously.
"Despite the slightly slower pace of growth, however, coal will meet more of the increase in global primary energy than oil or gas -- continuing a trend that has been in place for more than a decade," it said.
Between 2007 and 2012, demand for coal grew at 3.4 per cent a year.
Coal consumption grew to 7,697 million tonnes (Mt) in 2012, up 2.3 per cent from the previous year.
