Commodity Market Report
North America coal short-term outlook February 2020: Coal generation hits record low
Report summary
US Thermal coal consumption has plunged 30% in recent months due to a combination of mild weather, low gas price and increased renewable generation. Coal generation in December 2019 was 72 TWhrs – the lowest December coal generation recorded in the last 20 years and 20% lower than the next lowest December in 2015. Gas prices, in December, were still well above US$2.00/mmbtu but have since plunged with February 2020 averaging just US$1.88/mmbtu. Hourly generation data suggest that February 2020 will be the lowest monthly coal generation recorded over the last 20 years. Coal generation will be only 18% of total generation.
Table of contents
- Natural Gas Prices projected to recover
- COVID-19 interrupts supply chains
- Financial markets continue to turn away from coal
Tables and charts
This report includes 3 images and tables including:
- Henry Hub Price forecast (US$/mmbtu)
- US Coal generation and railcar loadings
- EGU Stockpiles by Census Region (Mst)
What's included
This report contains:
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