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Published: 31 January 2018

Consumption of hard coal decreased by ten per cent in 2017

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the consumption of hard coal decreased by ten 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 3.2 million tonnes, corresponding to 82 petajoules (PJ) in energy content. Last year, 30 per cent less hard coal was consumed than on average during this millennium.

Consumption of hard coal, 1,000 tonnes

In the last quarter of the year, 29 per cent less hard coal was consumed compared to the year before. On the longer term, the trend of consumption for hard coal has been falling already 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 diminished over the years due to weak profitability.

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 2017, stocks of hard coal totalled 2.2 million tonnes, or 15 per cent lower than one year earlier.

Source: Consumption of hard coal, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: 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 (31.1.2018)
• Appendix table 2. Hard coal stocks, month-end (31.1.2018)

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• Revisions in these statistics (31.1.2018)

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Updated 31.1.2018