India, Dec. 17 -- India is expected to account for the largest increase in coal consumption till 2030, with demand projected to rise by an average of 3% a year, adding more than 200 million tonnes, even as global coal demand is likely to edge down around 2030 with renewable energy, natural gas and nuclear power gaining ground, the International Energy Agency's Coal 2025 report said.

The fastest growth, the IEA said, is forecast to occur in Southeast Asia, where demand is set to increase by over 4% per year by 2030.

In 2025, however, weak demand-mainly driven by a mild summer and heavy monsoon rains-led to a decline in coal production. This also resulted in a fall in annual coal use for only the third time in five decades.

As of August ...