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Published: 26 January 2017

Consumption of hard coal increased by 31 per cent in 2016

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the consumption of hard coal increased by 31 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 3.3 million tonnes, corresponding to 81 petajoules in energy content. The large annual change was primarily due to the record low use of hard coal in the previous year. Despite the growth, 30 per cent less hard coal was used last year than the average for the 2000s.

Consumption of hard coal, 1,000 tonnes

The data for year 2016 is preliminary.

In the fourth quarter, 48 per cent more hard coal was consumed than in the same period in 2015. The relative growth in the consumption of hard coal was last year big mainly due to the record low consumption in the year before. The consumption of coal was still clearly lower compared to long-term averages and the trend of consumption has already been falling for good ten years.

Most of the hard coal consumed in Finland is used in combined heat and power production. The use of hard coal in separate production of electricity has clearly diminished in recent years because condensate power plants have been removed from use.

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 December 2016, stocks of hard coal totalled 2.6 million tonnes, or 27 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 (26.1.2017)
• Appendix table 2. Hard coal stocks, month-end (26.1.2017)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (26.1.2017)

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Updated 26.1.2017