5 Countries with Highest Coal Consumption by Year

In this piece, we will take a look at the 5 countries with highest coal consumption by year. For more countries, head on over to the 25 countries with highest coal consumption by year.

5. South Africa

Total consumption in 2021 (in exajoules): 3.53

South Africa is the country with the highest coal consumption in Africa, where coal usage isn’t going to end anytime soon due to its reliance.

4. Japan

Total consumption in 2021 (in exajoules): 4.8

While Japan is a leading coal consumer, its power utilities have been carrying out efforts in a bid to reduce thermal coal import costs, and even though its coal consumption has increased, more focus on ‘clean’ coal has been promoted in the Asian nation.

3. United States of America

Total consumption in 2021 (in exajoules): 10.57

While coal consumption has declined significantly in the U.S. in the past few years, it is still one of the countries with the highest coal consumption in the world. This trend is set to continue in 2024, where total coal output could fall more than 25% as compared to 2023, and we could see the U.S. continue to fall down the list in coming years as it transitions to renewable energy.

2. India

Total consumption in 2021 (in exajoules): 20.09

Continuing to grow its coal industry is India, which so far in FY 2024, has seen coal production increase by 12.3% even as India is increasing coal consumption to counter unusually dry weather. However, even then, India is aiming to be coal free in the next few decades though immediate reliance is continuing to increase.

1. China

Total consumption in 2021 (in exajoules): 86.17

Easily topping the list of the 25 countries with highest coal consumption by year is China, which still produces over 50% of the total global supply. It is also home to the biggest coal company in the world in China Shenhua Energy. Recently, questions have been asked regarding China’s safety record for coal miners after an accident resulted in the deaths of 12 workers.

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