Cheap coal swells in Southeast Asia, foiling global green push

Japanese builders of carbon-spewing plants face backlash from ESG-minded investors

20190322N Thai power plant

A coal-fired power plant in Thailand. Southeast Asia's appetite for the carbon-emitting fuel is growing rapidly. 

YUKINORI HANADA, YUJI OHIRA and YUKI FUKUMOTO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Southeast Asian countries are turning to low-cost coal to satisfy their surging electricity demand as the West shies away from the fossil fuel under pressure from green-minded investors.

Indonesia is on track for the third-largest coal-fired power capacity of new plants under development, behind China and India. Vietnam follows in fourth place, while the Philippines and Thailand will be home to multiple new coal power stations.

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