Consumption of hard coal slides by 25% in 2019

The consumption of hard coal decreased by 25 per cent last year in comparison to the previous year, according to Statistics Finland.

The consumption of hard coal as a fuel in the generation of electricity and heat amounted to 2.3 million tonnes, corresponding to 60 petajoules in energy content.

Compared to the average for the 2000s, the consumption of hard coal was 47 per cent lower.

Compared to the average of the past five years, 21 per cent less hard coal was consumed.

The use of hard coal decreased most in the third quarter of the year, when consumption was 45 per cent lower than in the year before.

In the fourth quarter, 25 per cent less hard coal was consumed than in the corresponding period of the year before.

The consumption of hard coal has decreased in combined heat and power production, separate production of electricity and manufacturing. In addition, the use of hard coal was completely discontinued in some plants’ boilers in 2019.

At the end of December, the stocks of coal amounted to 1.8 million tonnes. Compared with one year back, the stocks were 11 per cent lower.