Roman Bilousov: The Paradox of Coal Resilience and Transformation

Coal holds an ambivalent position in today’s global economy: it is both a “resource of the past” and a cornerstone of present development. As Roman Bilousov notes, even in 2022 coal still accounted for roughly 36% of global electricity generation. This highlights a paradoxical reality: the worldwide push for decarbonization coexists with a continued reliance on coal, which remains central to the global energy mix.

Coal’s resilience stems from its vast resource base and economic advantages. Bilousov estimates that proven reserves are sufficient to sustain current levels of production for 130–150 years, with deposits distributed far more evenly than oil or natural gas. This reduces geopolitical risk and strengthens energy sovereignty. Just as importantly, coal-fired power plants provide stable energy supply regardless of weather conditions — a crucial advantage for countries with fragile or underdeveloped infrastructure.

For emerging economies, coal plays a dual role. Bilousov emphasizes that in China and India, where coal makes up 65–70% of the national energy mix, it serves not only as a source of electricity but also as a pillar of macroeconomic stability, supporting industrial growth, employment, and export capacity.

Coal also remains indispensable as an industrial input. In steelmaking, more than 70% of global output relies on coking coal; in the chemical sector, coal provides feedstock for fertilizers, plastics, and synthetic materials. Bilousov stresses that new technologies — including coal gasification, synthetic gas production, and hydrogen generation — are gradually reframing coal as an “innovative raw material” that extends well beyond its traditional role in power generation.

The paradox of coal is equally environmental. It is still the single largest source of global CO₂ emissions. According to Bilousov, the future of coal will depend less on the size of reserves than on technological capacity to limit its climate impact. Promising pathways include carbon capture and storage (CCS), advanced gasification, hydrogen production, and the modernization of coal-fired power plants.

In conclusion, Bilousov argues that the fate of coal cannot be reduced to a simple choice of “use or phase out.” Its true future lies in technological transformation — finding ways to reconcile economic efficiency with sustainability. This, he suggests, is the core paradox: coal may remain a legacy resource of the industrial age, yet it could also become a driver of transition toward a new economic era.