Is coal really making a comeback?

Coal use is projected to hit a record high worldwide in 2026, after the war in Iran disrupted oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed many countries to burn more coal instead. That has led to talk of a coal "comeback," with mining investment reaching its highest level in 14 years and some new coal projects moving forward in places like Australia and Canada.

Energy analysts say this is less a lasting revival than a short-term reaction to a supply shock. The same energy crisis that boosted coal has also made wind and solar look more attractive to many countries, since they don't depend on volatile oil and gas imports. Even India, which may need to add more coal power than planned because of rising electricity demand and a weak monsoon season, has quadrupled its renewable energy capacity over the past decade and is ahead of schedule on its climate targets. Globally, most of the added electricity demand from things like AI data centers and air conditioning is being met by wind and solar, not coal.

None of this changes anything directly for homeowners weighing their own energy upgrades. It's a reminder that fossil fuel prices and supply can swing sharply with world events, while the cost and reliability case for renewables and electrification keeps strengthening over the long run, even when short-term headlines suggest otherwise.