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 is expected in Southeast Asia, where demand is set to increase by over 4% per year by 2030, IEA added.

In contrast, the European Union and the United States register further declines of 153 Mt and 106 Mt, respectively, as phase-out policies and fuel switching accelerate. In the rest of the world coal demand is expected to decline by 179 Mt...