Coal power plant construction will push ahead in Asia despite falling electricity demand and environmental concerns as policymakers prioritize boosting economies crippled by the coronavirus pandemic, analysts say.

Fossil fuel demand will plummet this year as lockdowns sap electricity use, the International Energy Agency said in an April report.

The European Union, International Monetary Fund and the United Nations have said that marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to launch a "green recovery," which includes Asia joining the global trend of ending support for coal power.