"sharp increase in natural gas prices — if sustained over time — is already sufficient to make generating electricity from coal cheaper" [natural gas prices]
This quote directly names the mechanism: sustained gas price elevation creates an economic incentive structure that makes coal competitive again, overriding prior decarbonization logic.
Reasoning from this article
The article treats coal's resurgence not as a temporary blip but as a structural reversion driven by energy market interdependencies and geopolitical shocks. When gas becomes scarce or expensive due to conflict (Qatar shutdown, Iran strikes, Ukraine war), coal becomes the rational economic substitute. This dynamic applies across regions: Europe, the US, and Indonesia all face the same price-driven incentive to maintain or expand coal capacity, suggesting a generalized pattern where energy security concerns systematically override climate commitments.