Overview

• In an investor presentation, Peabody said running underused coal plants at historic capacity factors could add more than 250 million tons of annual demand.
• The U.S. Energy Information Administration pegs 2025 coal consumption at about 439 million tons, up 6.7% from last year but far below the 2007 peak of 1.13 billion tons.
• Peabody cites forecasts for roughly 25% higher electricity demand through 2030 driven by factories, home electrification and rapid growth of AI data centers.
• The company points to supportive federal actions under President Donald Trump, including blocking a planned closure of a Michigan plant that burns Peabody fuel.
• Peabody reports the coal fleet ran at about 42% last year versus roughly 72% in 2008, while outside analysts warn operational and market limits make the full upside improbable.