Forecasters say coal consumption will be much higher than the IEA expects

Maybe, but the reasons given don't seem to make any sense, so if they're right it'll be more luck than anything.

> While China has made huge investments in renewable technologies, they are nowhere near transitioning to a much cleaner energy portfolio over the next decade.

Well that's a surprisingly vague and clunky non-statement.

They're definitely transitioning to a cleaner energy portfolio, with world leading buildouts of hydro, nuclear, wind and solar (plus EVs, DC grids, batteries) and lowering grid carbon intensity.

What's debatable is whether economic growth will offset that progress, making the absolute level of coal consumption go up.

> Dispatchable energy is required to completely replace coal.

Wait, are we talking about completely replacing coal, or whether the total amount used will rise/fall over the next decade?

They mention both that solar is currently a small fraction of energy supply, but immediately worrying that there's not enough storage. Storage isn't a requirement until the solar is a very large fraction, at which point you're already using less coal and their prediction is already wrong.

So basically they're focused on tasks that China won't be attempting until after their prediction period is over.

forecasters like the so called nameless experts spouting their and others views.

There is another fore that I like to use for these people and it has a skin attached the the end.

Theres an ai model for that.