Coal and renewables gear up for China demand fight
The engine of global gas demand growth may be at risk of a fuel problem
The prominence of gas in changing China’s coal-dominated power mix may face more substantial challenges than forecast from renewables and so-called ‘clean coal’—potentially calling into question the electricity sector’s oft-touted future role as a pillar of Chinese gas demand growth. Until recently, the consensus view was that the power sector would be a major contributor in bolstering China’s future gas consumption. Growth in gas demand for power generation grew by an estimated 30pc in 2018, with 281TWh of electricity produced from the cleaner-burning fuel, according to the IEA. The IEA forecast in 2018 that gas demand from China’s power sector would reach 84bn m³ by 2023, up from 50bn m³ i
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
