Coal-fired electric power provided roughly 80% of China’s electricity, and was expected to stay at that level for a number of years. In2008, China, accounted for 43% of global coal consumption. Chinese Coal. China was rich in coal itself, with reserves of its own estimated at 14% of global reserves. Although a global commodity, most of the world’s countries consume coal in the country where it is produced, with one large exception—Australia. Australia exports 75% of its production, mostly to Japan, South Korea, and China.