The latest figures on the consumption of hard coal in the European Union (EU) show a further annual decline, down 4% year on year to 226 million tonnes in 2018.
Gross inland consumption of hard coal in the EU decreased steadily during the 1990s and then stabilised at around 360 to 380 million tonnes for almost a decade. Following a sharp decline and a brief recovery between 2008 and 2012, consumption has continued to decrease. In 2018, consumption of hard coal was 54% below the level of 497 million tonnes in 1990.
The production of hard coal in the EU has also been falling year on year. In 2018, production stood at 74 million tonnes, 6% below the level in 2017 and 80% less than the 368 million tonnes in 1990.
In 2018, five Member States produced hard coal: Poland (63.4 million tonnes), Czechia (4.5), Germany (2.8), the United Kingdom (2.6) and Spain (0.5). In 1990, 14 Member States of the current EU were producing hard coal.
Note: The 2018 figures are estimates based on monthly data.
For more information:
- Statistics Explained article on coal production and consumption statistics
- Overview of Eurostat's energy statistics
- Eurostat table nrg_cb_sff (annual consumption and production 1990-2017)
- Eurostat table nrg_101m (monthly consumption and production 2016 onwards)
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