India’s seaborne coal import drop in July, LNG no alternative
High prices are causing a drop in seaborne coal imports to India, though LNG is no alternative due to supply constraints and record prices, leaving Indian utilities struggling to meet soaring electricity demand this summer.
Vietnam pivots to coal as Hormuz risk undermines LNG plans
Vietnam is relying more heavily on thermal coal as heightened security risks around the Strait of Hormuz adds another layer of risk for a market that is still scaling up its regas infrastructure, while the Ministry of Industry and Traded helped secure coal imports for power generation.
South Korea cuts LNG-burn, leans more on coal and nuclear
Nuclear restarts and coal has displaced LNG in the South Korean power mix as Qatari supply fell away, allowing utilities to defer procurement rather than chase spot cargoes priced above $20 per MMBtu. As a result, LNG’s share in Korean power generation fell to an estimated 22–24 percent in H1-2026, down from roughly 26–28 percent in H1 2025.
Asia invests in domestic energy to curb reliance on imported LNG
Asian countries are stepping up investment in domestic energy to curb reliance on imported LNG, as energy security overtakes cost following the three-month disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. China, India and Pakistan are accelerating spending on coal, renewables and nuclear power to reduce exposure to LNG imports.
PV Power urged to speed $2.25bn LNG-fuelled project
Vietnamese authorities in Nghe An province are urging PV Power to accelerate development of the $2.25 billion Quynh Lap LNG-to-power project with a view to bringing the 1,500 MW plant into operation by 2030 – even as imported fuel costs weigh on profitability.
Japan’s US LNG resale equals emissions from 17 coal plants
Japan’s resale of US LNG to other countries in Asia – notably South Korea, China and India – has generated emissions equivalent to roughly 17 coal plants a single year, Zero Carbon Analytics’ (ZCA) latest report finds.
Asia’s seaborne coal imports up 75 Mt on Qatari LNG squeeze
Suspension of nearly 10.2 mtpa of Qatari LNG supply to Asia is forcing utility buyers to switch to coal, with an additional 150 million tonnes (Mt) of consumption projected through 2030, roughly half of which in 2026 alone. A supply gap, not green policies, is driving demand, with RystadEnergy anticipating an LNG shortfall of 35 million tons this year.
South Korea lifts caps on coal-burn to reduce LNG reliance
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party today announced the abolition of spring caps limiting coal-fired plants to 80% capacity, alongside boosting nuclear utilization to over 80% from late-60s levels. “We aim to lift coal power caps to ease reliance on LNG for electricity generation,” an official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said, pointing at government strategy to stabilize baseload power.
LNG-related power prices in the Philippines could soar 16%
The Philippine government is regulating electricity rates to counter the risk of LNG-linked price inflation of up to 16 percent, amid Middle East shipping disruptions. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin is negotiating stable coal supplies from Indonesia to facilitate fuel switching and wants to temporarily cap spot power prices.
Pakistan leans on local fuel sources to mitigate LNG supply risk
Pakistan’s diverse domestic energy mix – nuclear, coal and hydropower – is cushioning the country from the global energy price shock following Qatar’s suspension of LNG exports. With nearly three-quarters of its electricity now generated from local sources, Pakistan managed to mitigate the immediate fallout of halt in its contracted long-term LNG deliveries from QatarEnergies.
