Japan’s coal-power generation is rising while natural gas-fired output falls, as conflict in the Middle East chokes supplies of the less-polluting fossil fuel and sends prices higher.

The 30-day moving average for coal generation across Japan’s main islands was up 17% on Tuesday compared with the same period last year, and has been consistently higher since late-March, according to utility data compiled by Bloomberg. Natural gas was 10% lower, the figures show.