Asia turning to coal as LNG supply shrinksBloombergWar in the Middle East is forcing Asia to turn to coal to plug the gaping hole emerging in its supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Nations from South Korea to Indonesia and Bangladesh are prioritizing coal as a power source, as the intensifying conflict upends gas supplies from a key exporting region. Among the worst hit countries is Qatar, home to the world’s biggest LNG export facility that Asian customers rely on. That means doubling down on their mainstay fuel — coal. Most Qatari LNG ends up in Asia, and the latest strikes have damaged about 17 percent of the country’s production capacity.

Source: Taipei Times March 20, 2026 16:24 UTC