Australia’s hopes to expand coal exports in south-east Asia ‘delusional’, experts say

Region's expected increase in coal-fired power plants could turn out to be 'more fizz than boom' as construction rates fall markedly

The number of new coal-fired power plants starting construction across south-east Asia has fallen markedly over the past two years as Australia has increasingly looked to the region to expand its thermal coal exports.

Analysis by US-based climate research and advocacy group Global Energy Monitor found work on only 1.5 gigawatts of new coal generation - equivalent to one large Australian plant - began in the region in the six months to June, all of it in Indonesia.