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Published: 27 April 2017

Consumption of hard coal decreased by 14 per cent in January to March

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the consumption of hard coal decreased by 14 per cent in January to March 2017 compared with the corresponding period of last year. The consumption of hard coal as a fuel in the generation of electricity and heat amounted to one million tonnes, corresponding to 24 petajoules in energy content. Compared to the average for January to March in the 2000s, the consumption of hard coal was 39 per cent lower.

Consumption of hard coal, 1,000 tonnes

The data for year 2016 and 2017 are preliminary.

Due to milder January than last year, the consumption of hard coal declined by 30 per cent. Four per cent less hard coal was consumed in February and as much as last year in March.

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.

Stocks of coal amounted to two million TWh at the end of March 2017, which was 30 per cent less than one year earlier.

Source: Consumption of hard coal, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Ville Maljanen 029 551 2691, Aleksi Sandberg 029 551 3326, energia@stat.fi

Director in charge: Ville Vertanen

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Consumption of hard coal (27.4.2017)
• Appendix table 2. Hard coal stocks, month-end (27.4.2017)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (27.4.2017)

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Updated 27.4.2017