हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए मेनू बार से हिंदी भाषा चयन करें।
What’s Changing?
India and China, the world’s two largest coal importers, are now shifting away from low-grade coal and moving toward high-calorific value (HCV) coal. This marks a significant change in global energy trade and is directly impacting Indonesia, the leading exporter of low-energy, high-moisture coal.
Why is India Making the Shift?
India’s modern thermal power plants are now demanding coal that:
- Has low moisture content
- Delivers more energy per ton
- Produces less ash and pollution
This type of coal is ideal for supercritical and ultra-supercritical power plants that focus on high energy efficiency.
👉 As a result, India’s imports from Indonesia are expected to drop by nearly 12% in 2025.
👉 India is increasing purchases from Australia, South Africa, and Russia, which provide higher-grade coal.
The government is also promoting coal blending (mixing domestic and imported coal) and encouraging diversification through multi-sourcing policies.
What About China?
China is also undergoing a major coal strategy shift:
- Industrial plants and power generators are demanding low-moisture, high-carbon coal to optimize output.
- China is improving domestic production quality, reducing dependency on lower-grade imports.
👉 With this shift, China’s imports from Indonesia are expected to drop by nearly 12% in 2025.
What Does This Mean for Indonesia?
| Issue | Impact |
| Low-Grade Coal Profile | High moisture and low energy output make it less suitable for modern plants |
| Shrinking Demand | India and China moving toward other suppliers |
| Falling Prices | Oversupply and competition may force Indonesia to reduce prices |
| New Markets Needed | Indonesia may need to shift focus to countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Thailand |
Without improvements in coal quality or finding new markets, Indonesia’s export revenues could decline.
Coal Import Data Snapshot
| Country | Indonesian Coal Import (2024) | Estimated Import (2025) | Drop (%) |
| India | 103 million tons | 91 million tons | ↓12% |
| China | 127 million tons | 112 million tons | ↓11.8% |
(Source: Coal Market Watch)
India and China are no longer looking for just “cheap coal.” Their focus is now on cleaner, more efficient, high-quality coal to meet rising power demand, stricter environmental norms, and cost-efficiency goals. This change sends a clear signal: for exporters like Indonesia, upgrading supply quality and diversifying demand will be critical for staying competitive in the evolving energy market.
