According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the consumption of hard coal increased by one per cent in January to September 2017 compared with the corresponding period of last year. The consumption of hard coal in the generation of electricity and heat amounted to 2.3 million tonnes, corresponding to 59 petajoules in energy content. Compared to the average for January to September in the 2000s, the consumption of hard coal was 27 per cent lower.

In comparison to last year, hard coal consumption increased particularly in early summer and in the middle of summer, which was affected by this year’s clearly cooler weather. In August to September, the consumption of hard coal again fell compared to last year.

Hard coal consumption in Finland typically fluctuates seasonally. Some of the fluctuation is explained by the natural variation in the need for electricity and heat between the summer and winter seasons. The difference between statistical reference years is explained by variations in the demand for heating energy and the Nordic water situation, which particularly influences the electricity exchange price and thus the demand for separate production of electricity as well. Therefore, long-term consumption development cannot be deducted from the change in hard coal consumption in successive years.

At the end of September 2017, stocks of coal amounted to 2.3 million tonnes, which was 12 per cent less than one year earlier.