SINGAPORE, Sept 20 (Reuters) -
* Australian physical coal prices GCLNWCPFBMc1 surge to May 2015 high of $72.50 as Asian consumption soars just as miners cut output.
* Australian Newcastle benchmarks up almost 50 percent in 2016. South African GCLRCBPFBMc1 and European GCLARAPDSMc1 coal benchmarks up 31-43 percent this year.
* CHART-Physical coal prices: http://tmsnrt.rs/2cDyl5g
* Asian power generation will grow by an annual average of 3.5 percent between 2016 and 2025, says BMI Research, with coal to remain the backbone of Asia's power generation.
* BMI says it now expects Newcastle coal to average $53 per tonne in 2016 (previously $51 per tonne), and expects average of $57 per tonne in 2017, up from $52 a tonne previously.