세계의 증기 석탄 시장 규모는 2024년에 1,428억 2,000만 달러로 평가되었고, 예측 기간 중의 CAGR은 2.86%를 나타내, 2030년에는 1,706억 7,000만 달러에 달할 전망입니다.
| 시장 개요 | |
|---|---|
| 예측 기간 | 2026-2030년 |
| 시장 규모 : 2024년 | 1,428억 2,000만 달러 |
| 시장 규모 : 2030년 | 1,706억 7,000만 달러 |
| CAGR : 2025-2030년 | 2.86% |
| 급성장 부문 | 산업용 보일러 |
| 최대 시장 | 아시아태평양 |
증기 석탄 시장은 주로 화력발전소나 산업용 보일러에서의 열생성에 사용되는 석탄의 세계의 거래와 소비를 가리킵니다. 증기 석탄은 발열효율이 높고 대체연료에 비해 비교적 저렴하기 때문에 주로 에너지분야에서 사용되고 있습니다.
특히 급속한 산업화, 도시화, 전력 수요 증가로 석탄화력발전 의존도가 계속되고 있는 아시아태평양과 아프리카 일부와 같은 신흥지역에서 시장은 안정적으로 성장할 것으로 예측됩니다. 또한, 증기 석탄을 단중기적으로 중요한 에너지원으로 자리매김하고 있습니다. 또한, 많은 신흥국은 신재생에너지원으로 급속하게 이행하는 데 있어서, 물류와 재정상의 과제에 직면하고 있어 입수하기 쉽고, 에너지 밀도가 높고, 공급 체인이 확립되고 있는 증기 석탄은 중요한 과도기 연료가 되고 있습니다.
탈탄소화와 깨끗한 대체 에너지의 대두를 향한 세계의 노력에도 불구하고, 증기 석탄 시장은 장기적인 전력 구입 계약, 기존의 석탄 화력 자산, 에너지 안보에 대한 우려에 힘입어 가까운 미래에도 지속적인 수요가 전망될 것입니다. 접근과 환경 헌신의 균형을 목표로 하는 지역에서 증기 석탄 사용의 지속가능성을 높일 수 있습니다.
주요 시장 성장 촉진요인
세계의 에너지 수요의 지속과 발전에 석탄의 역할
증기 석탄 시장은 저렴하고 신뢰할 수 있는 에너지에 대한 세계의 지속적인 수요, 특히 증기 석탄이 발전의 요인인 석탄 의존 지역이 견인하고 있습니다. 중국, 동남아시아의 일부와 같은 신흥 경제권에서 베이스 로드 전력 수요를 충족하는 데 중요한 역할을 계속하고 있습니다.
증기 석탄의 높은 에너지 함량과 비용 효과로 석탄은 세계 전력 생산의 대부분을 차지하는 화력 발전소에 있어서 바람직한 연료가 되고 있습니다. 제한된 국가의 국가에서 지속적인 사용이 보장됩니다. 또한 증기 석탄의 안정적인 발전 능력은 풍력과 햇빛과 같은 간헐적인 재생에너지원을 보완하며 하이브리드 에너지 시스템에서 중요한 요소입니다.
특히 아시아에서는 석탄을 이용한 발전 프로젝트의 개발이 진행되고 있어 일부 지역에서는 보다 깨끗한 에너지로의 이행이 지연되고 있는 것도 증기 석탄 수요를 지지하고 있습니다. 한편, 환경에 미치는 영향을 줄임으로써 증기 석탄의 실행 가능성을 넓히고 있습니다. 인구 증가와 산업 확대에 의해 세계의 에너지 수요는 증가의 길을 따라가고 있습니다.
2024년 석탄화력발전소는 세계발전량의 약 37%를 차지했고 증기 석탄은 화력발전소에서 사용되는 석탄의 80%를 차지했습니다. 아시아 태평양 지역의 2024년 증기 석탄 소비량은 18억 톤으로 2023년 대비 5% 증가했으며, 이는 인도와 중국의 신규 석탄 발전소 용량이 25기가와트를 전력망에 추가한 데 따른 것입니다. 이것은 인도와 중국의 새로운 석탄 발전소의 용량이 그리드에 25기가와트를 추가했기 때문입니다.
엄격한 환경 규제와 탈탄소 정책
석탄 소비를 지원하는 신흥 경제국 수요 급증
Global Steam Coal Market was valued at USD 142.82 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 170.67 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 2.86% during the forecast period.
| Market Overview | |
|---|---|
| Forecast Period | 2026-2030 |
| Market Size 2024 | USD 142.82 Billion |
| Market Size 2030 | USD 170.67 Billion |
| CAGR 2025-2030 | 2.86% |
| Fastest Growing Segment | Industrial Boilers |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
The Steam Coal Market refers to the global trade and consumption of coal that is primarily used for heat generation in thermal power plants and industrial boilers. Also known as thermal coal, steam coal is a combustible sedimentary rock primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and is widely utilized for producing steam that drives turbines for electricity generation. Unlike metallurgical coal, which is used in steelmaking, steam coal is mostly used in the energy sector due to its efficiency in heat generation and relative affordability compared to alternative fuels. The steam coal market is segmented by coal type-such as bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite-each differing in calorific value and ash content, influencing their suitability across different industrial applications.
The market is expected to grow steadily, especially in developing regions such as Asia Pacific and parts of Africa, where rapid industrialization, urbanization, and rising electricity demand continue to drive reliance on coal-fired power generation. Countries such as India, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam are heavily investing in coal-based energy infrastructure to meet growing population needs and industrial output, positioning steam coal as a key energy source in the short to medium term. Furthermore, many emerging economies face logistical and financial challenges in shifting rapidly to renewable energy sources, making steam coal a critical transitional fuel due to its availability, energy density, and established supply chains.
Despite global efforts toward decarbonization and the rise of cleaner energy alternatives, the steam coal market will experience continued demand in the near future, supported by long-term power purchase agreements, existing coal-fired assets, and energy security concerns. Innovations in cleaner coal technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS), may also enhance the sustainability of steam coal usage, especially in regions aiming to balance energy access with environmental commitments. Overall, the steam coal market will rise moderately, driven by economic expansion in developing nations, the need for reliable baseload power, and the slow pace of energy transition in coal-dependent regions.
Key Market Drivers.
Sustained Global Energy Demand and Coal's Role in Power Generation
The Steam Coal Market is driven by the persistent global demand for affordable and reliable energy, particularly in coal-dependent regions where steam coal remains a cornerstone for electricity generation. Despite the global push for renewable energy, steam coal continues to play a critical role in meeting baseload power requirements, especially in emerging economies like India, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. These regions rely on coal-fired power plants to support rapid industrialization, urbanization, and growing electricity consumption.
Steam coal's high energy content and cost-effectiveness make it a preferred fuel for thermal power plants, which account for a significant portion of global electricity production. Its accessibility and established infrastructure, including extensive mining operations and transportation networks, ensure its continued use in countries with limited access to alternative energy sources. Additionally, steam coal's ability to provide consistent power output complements intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, making it a critical component in hybrid energy systems.
The ongoing development of coal-based power projects, particularly in Asia, coupled with the slow transition to cleaner energy in some regions, sustains demand for steam coal. Furthermore, advancements in cleaner coal technologies, such as high-efficiency, low-emission (HELE) plants, are extending the viability of steam coal by reducing environmental impacts while maintaining its economic advantages. As global energy needs continue to rise, driven by population growth and industrial expansion, the Steam Coal Market remains robust, supported by its critical role in ensuring energy security and affordability for power generation.
In 2024, coal-fired power plants accounted for approximately 37% of global electricity generation, with steam coal comprising 80% of coal used in thermal power plants. Asia-Pacific consumed 1.8 billion metric tons of steam coal in 2024, representing a 5% increase from 2023, driven by new coal plant capacities in India and China adding 25 gigawatts to the grid.
Key Market Challenges
Stringent Environmental Regulations and Decarbonization Policies
One of the most pressing challenges faced by the steam coal market is the intensifying global push towards environmental sustainability and the enforcement of strict decarbonization policies by both developed and emerging economies. In response to the escalating threats of climate change, governments, international institutions, and environmental agencies have introduced comprehensive climate agreements and national mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a particular focus on the energy and industrial sectors. As steam coal combustion is one of the highest sources of carbon dioxide emissions, its use has increasingly come under scrutiny. Countries across the European Union, North America, and parts of Asia are phasing out coal-fired power plants, introducing carbon pricing mechanisms, and imposing taxes or penalties on high-emission industries.
These regulatory shifts not only impact domestic coal consumption but also affect international trade patterns, limiting export opportunities for major coal-producing nations such as Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, and Colombia. Additionally, financial institutions and investors are becoming increasingly reluctant to finance new coal-based projects, given the reputational and regulatory risks associated with carbon-intensive portfolios. The rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing further compounds this challenge, as institutional investors reallocate funds towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
Key Market Trends
Surging Demand from Emerging Economies to Sustain Coal Consumption
Despite the global shift toward clean energy, a notable trend shaping the steam coal market is the consistent and rising demand from emerging economies. Countries such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines continue to rely heavily on coal-fired power generation to support their rapid industrialization and expanding urban infrastructure. In these economies, coal remains one of the most accessible and cost-effective sources of baseload electricity, particularly in regions where renewable energy infrastructure is still in the early stages of development.
The government-led push for rural electrification, expansion of manufacturing industries, and enhancement of transport and urban development projects is directly linked to increased electricity consumption. Steam coal, due to its high calorific value and reliability, plays a vital role in ensuring uninterrupted power supply, especially in countries where energy security is a critical concern. Additionally, abundant domestic coal reserves in countries like India and Indonesia reduce import dependence, making coal a strategically favorable option in national energy policies.
Many of these economies have also committed to gradual, rather than abrupt, energy transitions, giving steam coal a prolonged role in their energy mix. For example, while India is aggressively investing in solar and wind energy, it continues to approve new coal-fired projects to meet growing demand and maintain grid stability. Similarly, Indonesia's long-term energy roadmap projects a significant share for coal through 2030 and beyond.
In this report, the Global Steam Coal Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:
Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Steam Coal Market.
Global Steam Coal Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report: