[SMM Coal Flash] Indonesia’s ESDM Projects 2026 Coal Production at 720 Mt

A US federal appeals court unanimously ruled that the Department of Energy exceeded its authority when it ordered Consumers Energy’s 1.4-GW J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in Michigan to remain operational beyond its scheduled May 2025 retirement. The court found that the DOE improperly invoked emergency powers under the Federal Power Act. Michigan argued that continued operation of the economically unviable plant could impose nearly $300 million in additional costs on electricity customers. However, the ruling does not immediately close the plant, as Consumers Energy remains subject to a separate temporary DOE order requiring operations to continue until mid-November 2026. The decision could constrain similar federal efforts to postpone coal-plant retirements on grid-reliability grounds.

Russian Railways reported that eastbound coal shipments for export across its network reached 10.6 million tonnes in August 2026, up 6.1% year on year and the highest level recorded for August. The company attributed the growth to steady demand in Asian markets, particularly China. Total coal loaded for export across its network reached 15.9 million tonnes during the month, up 7.9% year on year, bringing the January–August total to 126.5 million tonnes, up 7.2%.

Bangladesh’s home minister told parliament that the prime minister had directed the construction of a 600MW coal-fired power plant at Barapukuria using domestic coal. The government is also discussing the resumption of the 1,320MW Payra Phase II coal-fired power project.