Consumption of hard coal decreased by 24% from January to September

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the consumption of hard coal decreased by 24% in January to September 2019 compared with the corresponding period of 2018.

The consumption of hard coal as a fuel in the generation of electricity and heat amounted to 1.7 million tonnes, corresponding to 43 petajoules in energy content. In January to March, 45% less hard coal was consumed than on average during this millennium.

Compared to the average of the past five years, 18% less hard coal was consumed in January to September. The biggest change was seen in the third quarter of the year when the consumption of hard coal decreased by 43% compared to one year ago.

Consumption of hard coal decreased in combined heat and power production, in separate electricity production and in the industrial sector. In 2019, the use of hard coal has been completely abandoned in some production plant’s boiler’s.

Fluctuations

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 September, the stocks of coal amounted to 1.9 million tonnes, which represented a growth of 22% relative to the stocks at the end of June. Compared with one year back, the stocks were 7% lower.