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Japan will experience power shortages this summer and the uncertainty is already rallying coal prices and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track them.

J-Power, Japan's largest coal-based thermal power producer, is already overextended - having to make up for the lost electricity of Tepco and Tohoku Electric, two utilities most impacted by the quake, reports Llana Green for MarketWatch .

Market Vectors Coal (NYSEArca: KOL) and PowerShares Global Coal (NYSEArca: PKOL) are in a profitable position as there are many factors driving the demand for this energy source. For example, the re-building of Japan will rely on coal, and thermal coal prices are higher in Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and South America. [ Will Constellation Deal Power Up Nuclear ETFs? ]

As emerging economies build up, and long term prospects for so-called clean coal technology competes with other "green energy" sources, the global demand for this commodity will rise. [ Coal ETFs: Can They Hang On To Gains? ]

Tisha Guerrero contributed to this article.

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