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Published: 30 January 2015

Consumption of hard coal decreased by 16 per cent in 2014

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, consumption of hard coal decreased by 16 per cent last year in comparison with the previous year. Consumption of hard coal as a fuel in the generation of electricity and heat amounted to 3.8 million tonnes, corresponding to approximately 97 petajoules in energy content. Even in the longer term, consumption of hard coal has fallen. Compared with the average for the 2000s, hard coal consumption was around 22 per cent lower in 2014.

Consumption of hard coal, 1,000 tonnes

The data for year 2014 is preliminary.

The use of coal in plants of separate production of electricity diminished by 40 per cent last year compared with the previous year. Especially in spring and towards the end of the year, clearly less hard coal was consumed than in the year before. This was affected by the unusually warm weather and the improved water situation in the Nordic countries. In addition, one coal condensate power plant was removed from standby mode at the beginning of the 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 water situation in the Nordic countries also affects the demand for condensate production in particular. The varying production volumes of wind power can also contribute to it. Therefore, long-term consumption development cannot be deducted from the change in hard coal consumption in successive years.

At the end of December 2014, stocks of hard coal totalled 4.1 million tonnes, or 26 per cent more than one year earlier.

Source: Consumption of hard coal, Statistics Finland

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

Director in charge: Leena Storgårds

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Consumption of hard coal (30.1.2015)
• Appendix table 2: Hard Coal Stocks, month-end (30.1.2015)

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• Revisions in these statistics (30.1.2015)

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Updated 30.1.2015