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Published: 28 January 2016

Consumption of hard coal was at its lowest in over three decades in 2015

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the consumption of hard coal decreased by 26 per cent last year in comparison with the previous year. The consumption of hard coal as a fuel in the generation of electricity and heat amounted to 2.6 million tonnes, corresponding to 66 petajoules in energy content. The consumption of hard coal has last been at this low level in the early 1980s. Compared to the average for the 2000s, the consumption of hard coal was 45 per cent lower.

Consumption of hard coal, 1,000 tonnes

The data for year 2015 is preliminary.

The consumption of hard coal dropped most in plants of separate production of electricity. The profitability of hard coal was weakened by the distinct decline in the wholesale price of electricity in the Nordic electricity exchange, for which reason domestic separate production of electricity was replaced with imports of electricity. The good availability of hydro power and increased production of wind power replaced production modes with more expensive production costs from the electricity markets, particularly coal condensing. In the summer, two coal condensing plants were transferred into long-term preservation due to profitability problems. In turn, the warm weather decreased the demand for hard coal in combined heat and power production as well.

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 caused by the weather and the Nordic water situation, which particularly influences the demand for separate production of electricity. Therefore, long-term consumption development cannot be deducted from the change in hard coal consumption in successive years.

At the end of December 2015, stocks of hard coal totalled 3.5 million tonnes, or 14 per cent lower than one year earlier.

Source: Consumption of hard coal, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Ville Maljanen 029 551 2691, energia@stat.fi

Director in charge: Ville Vertanen

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Consumption of hard coal (28.1.2016)
• Appendix table 2: Hard coal stocks, month-end (28.1.2016)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (28.1.2016)

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Updated 28.01.2016