Jakarta-After speeding since early last year, coal looks exhausted. During the past week, the value of the contract coal shipments for April 2012, in exchange ICE Newcastle, moving ramp.

Early last week, the official price of coal contracts were valued at U.S. $ 114.85 per ton. However, at the close of trading Thursday (9/2), the value of the contract slipped to U.S. $ 112.6 per ton. That price was the lowest during the last two weeks.

Last week also the first time, the price of coal in Europe is under the market price of coal in South Africa. Even if calculated since the beginning of 2012, coal prices in Europe has been eroded by 6.2%, as the growing role of alternative energy from solar and windmills.

Just look at the Germans who managed to build a solar power plant with a capacity of 3000 watts, late last year. Electrical energy from wind power turbines are also able to generate electricity up to 8 terawatt per hour.

Powerful country in Europe was intended to increase the share of electricity from alternative sources to 35% of total supply, this year. Spain also followed the German move. Last year, the electricity from the sun in Matador State is equal 47% of total production.

Trends in alternative energy optimization of the grim prospects for coal prices. "The demand for coal from Europe because of the possibility of declining stock abundance since November last year," said Mahesh Miswin, an analyst with Barclays London, as quoted by Bloomberg.

Fadil, Asta Mahadana Futures analyst, predicted that coal is still weakening trend will continue. In addition to the renewable energy, the development of the global economy that is still full of question marks also affect the prospects for coal.

"Activity in global production in both China and Europe have tended to weaken, this depressing the price of commodities including coal," he said, yesterday (10/2).

Coal is the energy commodities that are commonly used by industry. Direction the price is much dependent on the world's industrial activity. Moreover, since the industry data is likely to weaken in February, said Fadil.

China, which was recorded as the world's largest coal consumer, its economy is expected to brake a little so as not to get caught up overheating economy. "China industry will still grow, but will not be as fast as last year," he said.

Coal is also likely to rise in oil prices followed the running. With notes, Greece's debt settlement negotiations, scheduled to end on Sunday (12/2), gave birth to a positive decision.

Demand for coal will also terkerek if extreme weather in Europe last long. If that happens, demand for energy commodities, including coal, will rise. Coal prices could also rise if the U.S. economy improves.

Technically, the price of coal will have a limited rebound. "The range between U.S. $ 110 to U.S. $ 111 per ton," said Fadil.