March 18th, 2026 - Asia Reverts to Coal as War Disrupts Natural Gas Supply

The war in the Middle East is triggering a major energy crisis for countries that rely heavily on liquefied natural gas (LNG), especially across Asia. As fighting enters its third week, the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed and Qatari production disrupted, removing roughly one-fifth of global LNG supply from the market. This sudden shock is putting intense pressure on energy systems that depend on stable gas imports.

Asia is particularly vulnerable. The region consumes the majority of the world’s LNG, with countries like Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Bangladesh generating a large share of their electricity from natural gas. With supply tightening, governments and utilities are scrambling to secure remaining shipments, driving prices to record highs and forcing difficult decisions about energy use.

To manage the crisis, many countries are turning to emergency measures. Utilities are competing for LNG on the spot market, rationing energy, and tapping into government funds to limit rising costs. At the same time, several nations are falling back on coal-fired power plants to keep electricity flowing, even as this reverses years of efforts to reduce emissions.

The disruption is also raising deeper concerns about the long-term reliability of LNG. For years, it has been promoted as a “bridge fuel” which is cleaner than coal and more dependable than renewables. But its dependence on global shipping routes and geopolitical stability is now being exposed, especially in a region where pipelines are not a viable alternative.

Recent history has already shaken confidence in LNG markets. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European demand drove prices up and left many Asian countries struggling to compete. Now, a similar pattern is emerging, with wealthier nations better positioned to secure supply while developing economies face shortages and economic strain.

Countries across Asia are responding in different ways. Thailand and Bangladesh are increasing coal use, while Taiwan and South Korea are preparing to expand coal and nuclear power if disruptions continue. These shifts highlight how quickly energy strategies can change when supply becomes uncertain.

Looking ahead, the crisis may reshape how countries think about energy security. While LNG will likely remain important in the short term, some nations are accelerating investments in renewables to reduce dependence on volatile global markets. The situation underscores a broader reality: as energy demand grows, stability and reliability may matter just as much as cost and environmental impact.

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Example: The movie adaptation employed surreal visual effects to tell the story, making the plot, jejune in the novel, archetypal rather than artless.

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