The use of coal is expected to reach a historic high in 2026, largely due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). In a report released on September 10, the IEA stated that global coal demand is projected to rise by 1.2 percent this year, reaching 8.94 billion tons. This increase is part of a broader trend showing coal's resilience despite growing global efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. The IEA attributes this rise to several factors, including the war in the Middle East, the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, and concerns over the security of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route for oil and gas, and its disruption has led to increased natural gas prices. Even though coal shipments are not directly affected by the blockage, the resulting market instability has pushed countries to rely more on coal as a secure and available energy source. Interestingly, the IEA had previously predicted a slight decline in coal demand by 2026, as reported by the French economic newspaper Les Echos. This earlier forecast suggested that coal use would begin to decrease slowly after 2025, continuing through 2030. However, the current situation has changed the outlook, with coal consumption now expected to set a new record in 2026. Despite the rise in coal use, the IEA continues to highlight the growing importance of renewable energy, particularly solar power. In its annual report from November 2025, the agency stated that renewable energy demand, driven largely by photovoltaic solar, is expected to grow faster than any other major energy source across all future scenarios. This underscores the ongoing shift toward cleaner energy sources, even as coal remains a significant part of the global energy mix for the foreseeable future.