Coal-fired generation continues steady uptick in Europe

As construction of coal-fired power plants comes to a virtual standstill in the U.S., demand for thermal coal in other parts of the world continues to increase. While few are surprised at the development of grassroot coal-fired plants in growing economies such as India, China and Southeast Asia, a glance through the news shows an increase in coal-fired power in an unexpected location: Europe, which was supposed to be home to some of the world’s most stringent emissions-reduction initiatives.