The Middle East conflict is forcing Asian nations, from South Korea to Bangladesh, to rely more on coal as LNG supplies tighten. Qatar’s Ras Laffan, the world’s largest LNG export hub, suffered extensive damage, driving up gas prices. Coal, already over 40–50% of the region’s power mix, is now favored as LNG becomes unaffordable for price-sensitive buyers, according to Rystad Energy analyst Sam Chua.

2026-03-20

The Middle East conflict is forcing Asian nations, from South Korea to Bangladesh, to rely more on coal as LNG supplies tighten. Qatar’s Ras Laffan, the world’s largest LNG export hub, suffered extensive damage, driving up gas prices. Coal, already over 40–50% of the region’s power mix, is now favored as LNG becomes unaffordable for price-sensitive buyers, according to Rystad Energy analyst Sam Chua.