Energy and geopolitics have long moved in step, shaping a tense balance between demand, supply, and policy. Across Western nations, the move toward renewable energy sits beside a stubborn reality: rising gas prices tied to conflict and the global demand for coal. A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that in 2022 mineral consumption climbed by 1.2% from the previous year, surpassing 8,000 million tons for the first time. This shift frames Asturias, a region once anchored by coal mining, as it reimagines its industrial and energy landscape, with the black mineral gradually becoming a historical memory rather than a daily staple.
IEA projections show fossil fuel demand in the European Union rising by 6% in the current year, with Germany at the leading edge of this trend. The country is poised to utilize 10 gigawatts of coal capacity, even as it plans to phase out mining by 2038. The mine remains a significant component of Germany’s energy mix in the near term, underscoring the persistence of coal in strategic energy planning.
The IEA notes a cautious optimism among energy strategists: global coal use is near a peak, yet coal remains a resilient driver in the immediate horizon. Keisuke Sadamori, Director of Energy Markets and Security at the IEA, cautions that while the world may see a decline in fossil fuels overall, demand for coal is likely to reach new highs this year, a trend that could elevate global emissions in the short term.
The outlook extends beyond this year. Analysts expect the high consumption level to continue into 2025, as a slowdown in Western economies is counterbalanced by strong demand from large economies such as China and India. The dynamics suggest a complex energy picture where regional transitions meet global demand, keeping coal in the energy system longer than many forecasts anticipated.
In Asturias itself, historical changes reflect broader energy shifts. By the late 1950s, the region hosted about 110 coal companies. In more recent times, only a few remain active, including operations linked to different energy players. Much of the coal historically burned in regional plants originated from distant allies, with material imports from countries like Australia and South Africa becoming common practice over the years.
The Soto de Ribera facility experienced a challenging period, closing for much of 2019 and initially slated for permanent closure in 2020. It reopened in 2021 and remains operational, though it has faced continued uncertainties. The Aboño plant continues to operate as well, while both facilities are eyed for future transformations. Plans by the energy group to convert these sites into production and storage hubs for hydrogen produced using renewable resources are under review by national authorities and are awaiting potential European funding acceptance.
Another landmark in the Asturias mining narrative is the central curtain in Mieres, a site with a storied past that is currently undergoing a metamorphosis toward a biomass facility. The new plant aims for an installed capacity of 50 megawatts and represents a broader shift from coal toward bioenergy. A fresh bidding process for the transformation has been launched, with a 21-month timeline and an estimated investment of 45 million euros, signaling a deliberate push to redefine the region’s energy identity.