Global demand continues to be driven by Asian economies. India will increase its influence in coal markets thanks to large reserves

Global coal demand will rise 2.6 per cent annually in the next six years and challenge oil as the top energy source, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Coal consumption will climb to 4.32 billion tonnes of oil equivalent by 2017, compared with about 4.4 billion for oil, the Paris-based agency said on Tuesday in its first Medium-Term Coal Market Report. Usage will rise in all regions except the US, where cheap natural gas has damped demand, the IEA said.