In a revealing interview with Benzinga Edge, coal market expert Matt Water shares deep insights into the current state of the coal industry, its future prospects, and investment opportunities. Water, publisher of thecoaltrader.com, brings decades of experience in natural resource markets to bear in this comprehensive analysis.

The Reality of Coal Usage Today

Contrary to popular belief, coal remains a crucial energy source both in the United States and globally. While U.S. coal usage has declined from 33-40% of power generation to around 20-21%, several factors are driving continued demand. The emergence of AI data centers is creating a significant shift in power requirements, with projections showing U.S. power demand increasing by 2-3% annually, a substantial jump from the historical growth rate of 0.5%. This surge in demand is highlighting concerns about insufficient baseload generation capacity, which may necessitate not only maintaining existing coal plants but potentially constructing new ones within the next decade specifically to meet AI-driven power needs.

The coal sector has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. What was once an industry laden with debt has emerged stronger through strategic restructuring and strong cash flows. Many companies have evolved into what Water describes as "grandpa stocks," characterized by stable cash flows and conservative financial management. The limited investment in new capacity across the industry has created conditions that could lead to outsized returns. Investors can typically expect returns ranging from 3-5% in challenging years to 15-20% in normal market conditions, with the potential for 35-40% returns during particularly strong markets.