Coal output in the United States is projected to drop 1.48% year on year for 2023 with the shift towards clean energy, according to the latest Short-Term Energy Outlook released by Energy Information Administration (EIA) on November 7.
The output is predicted to decline from 594.2 million short tons in 2022 to 585.4 million short tons (531.07 million tonnes) in 2023, while that in 2024 will see another fall to the lowest level since 1963 at 480.4 million short tons as natural gas and renewables increasingly replace coal-fired power plants, the report said.
In terms of consumption, the report expected U.S. coal consumption in 2023 to decrease 17.71% from a year ago to 424 million short tons. Coal consumption in the power sector is forecast to slide 18.74% year on year to 384.2 million short tons, while consumption in retail and other industries is anticipated to be 23.2 million short tons, a drop of 10.42% YoY.
In 2024, U.S. coal consumption is expected to be 393.9 million short tons, falling 7.14% compared to the year-ago level. The electricity sector will consume 355.5 million short tons of coal, while the retail and other industries will use 20.5 million short tons.
The report also said that US energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2023 are projected to fall 3.1% from a year earlier. Specifically, CO2 emissions related to coal combustion will decrease 18.29% on the year. In 2024, energy-related CO2 emissions are forecast to decline slightly by 0.73% compared to the preceding year.
Regarding exports, the report revealed that US coal exports in 2023 are estimated to reach 97.4 million short tons, indicating a 13.26% increase from 2022. Exports of thermal coal are projected to be 45.4 million short tons, up 14.94% year on year, while metallurgical coal exports are expected to reach 52.0 million short tons, an increase of 11.83% YoY.
U.S. coal exports are forecast to reach 93.7 million short tons in 2024, showing a 3.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Thermal coal exports are projected to be 41.7 million short tons, while metallurgical coal exports are estimated to reach 52.0 million short tons.
(Writing by Riley Liang Editing by Emma Yang)
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