Released November 06, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
en
Written for Industrial Info Resources by Daniel Graeber (Sugar Land, Texas)
This, the energy company said, is largely the result of renewable energy, which it said accounted for nearly 80% of the increase in electricity production annually to 2024.
"It is also supported, in developed countries, by the gradual reduction in coal-fired electricity generation, which is being replaced by gas-fired electricity generation, particularly in the United States," the report read.
"For years, the Biden and Obama administrations relentlessly targeted America's coal industry and workers, resulting in the closure of reliable power plants and higher electricity costs," U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in announcing funding to support the coal industry. "Thankfully, President Trump has ended the war on American coal and is restoring common sense energy policies that put Americans first."
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, for his part, in September opened 13.1 million acres of federal lands in parts of North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming for coal leasing, reversing a pause on federal coal leases enacted by former President Joe Biden. Another 14,000 acres of metallurgical coal acreage in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, was leased out to Warrior Met Coal Incorporated (Brookwood, Alabama) early this year.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Metals & Minerals Project Database can click here for more details on projects associated with Warrior.
Analysis from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), part of Wright's Energy Department, finds coal in the power sector is expected to fade, however. Even though U.S. natural gas prices are on the rise, the EIA said it expected coal consumption to decline by 3% annually by next year as more renewables come online.
The EIA in its regular monthly market report from October predicted a 1% annual decline for coal in the power sector to achieve a 16% market share. Natural gas remains static year-on-year at 40%, while renewables increase 2% to achieve a 26% market share by next year.
While renewables are gaining ground, the United States has been a net exporter of natural gas since 2017 and petroleum products since 2020.
"It has taken advantage of its abundant domestic gas production at competitive prices to reduce its CO2 emissions by gradually replacing coal-fired power plants with gas-fired power plants," its report read.
The European Union, for its part, is leading the advanced economies in cutting emissions, but needs a massive investment surge to stay ahead of the pack, TotalEnergies found.
Aurélien Hamelle, TotalEnergies' president for strategy and sustainability, said the so-called energy transition will be slow, despite recent gains in emission reduction. Fossil fuels by 2050 are expected to account for 60% of primary energy demand, down from 80% currently.
By the numbers
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
Summary
TotalEnergies found natural gas use in the United States is leading to lower emissions. The federal government is seemingly throwing more of its weight behind coal, however.Natural Gas is Lowering Emissions
TotalEnergies (Courbevoie, France) said in a report issued Wednesday that the carbon intensity of the global energy sector is on the decline. Improved living standards in the world's largest economies are leading to an increase in energy demand and emissions as well. But the growth in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has slowed down since 2015.This, the energy company said, is largely the result of renewable energy, which it said accounted for nearly 80% of the increase in electricity production annually to 2024.
"It is also supported, in developed countries, by the gradual reduction in coal-fired electricity generation, which is being replaced by gas-fired electricity generation, particularly in the United States," the report read.
Trump's White House Wants More Coal
That assessment comes as U.S. President Donald Trump tries to revive the coal industry, blaming previous presidents from the Democratic Party for waging a war on the sector."For years, the Biden and Obama administrations relentlessly targeted America's coal industry and workers, resulting in the closure of reliable power plants and higher electricity costs," U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in announcing funding to support the coal industry. "Thankfully, President Trump has ended the war on American coal and is restoring common sense energy policies that put Americans first."
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, for his part, in September opened 13.1 million acres of federal lands in parts of North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming for coal leasing, reversing a pause on federal coal leases enacted by former President Joe Biden. Another 14,000 acres of metallurgical coal acreage in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, was leased out to Warrior Met Coal Incorporated (Brookwood, Alabama) early this year.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Metals & Minerals Project Database can click here for more details on projects associated with Warrior.
Analysis from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), part of Wright's Energy Department, finds coal in the power sector is expected to fade, however. Even though U.S. natural gas prices are on the rise, the EIA said it expected coal consumption to decline by 3% annually by next year as more renewables come online.
The EIA in its regular monthly market report from October predicted a 1% annual decline for coal in the power sector to achieve a 16% market share. Natural gas remains static year-on-year at 40%, while renewables increase 2% to achieve a 26% market share by next year.
While renewables are gaining ground, the United States has been a net exporter of natural gas since 2017 and petroleum products since 2020.
"It has taken advantage of its abundant domestic gas production at competitive prices to reduce its CO2 emissions by gradually replacing coal-fired power plants with gas-fired power plants," its report read.
Global Emissions Lower Too
China, meanwhile, has integrated low-carbon technologies across much of its domestic supply chain, and remains a world leader in exports of solar panels, lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles. Though still a heavy coal user, modern technologies should accelerate decarbonization over the coming years.The European Union, for its part, is leading the advanced economies in cutting emissions, but needs a massive investment surge to stay ahead of the pack, TotalEnergies found.
Aurélien Hamelle, TotalEnergies' president for strategy and sustainability, said the so-called energy transition will be slow, despite recent gains in emission reduction. Fossil fuels by 2050 are expected to account for 60% of primary energy demand, down from 80% currently.
By the numbers
- 60% of global energy demand fed by fossil fuels by 2050
- 16% market share for coal in the U.S. economy
- 40% market share for natural gas
- While Trump tries to revive the coal industry, natural gas is leading the way
- TotalEnergies finds that major global economies are lowering their emissions
- Fossil fuels still dominate the energy sector
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
