Demand for coal has risen sharply in the last two years. While reserves are high, stockpiles have tightened and the price of certain grades of coal has surged by as much as 130%. Despite environmental concerns surrounding coal burning, it seems likely that coal will hold on to its 40% to 50% global market share for electricity generation for the foreseeable future, say experts.

“It’s extremely hard to see coal’s share of electricity generating dropping much in the next few years,” says Tim