EU coal consumption, production to temporarily increase – then fall

(EurActiv, 19 Dec 2022) The EU, particularly Germany, will have significantly increased coal consumption and production by the end of the year, though structural decline is expected to start in the next three years, according to an International Energy Agency (IEA) report.

The IEA presented its 2022-2025 coal market analysis and forecast on Friday (16 December).

In the report, the agency pointed to global coal consumption having increased by more than 1% between 2021 and 2022, reaching an all-time high of 8,000 million tonnes (Mt).

Topping comparative consumption charts were the US and the EU, both of which recorded the largest increases compared to other regions.

Europe breaks records without Russian gas

Reducing dependency on Russian energy sources following the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on Europe, and the EU in particular, the report found.

The EU’s coal consumption has increased for the second year running, reaching a record level of 478 Mt for the year, the IEA said.

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EurActiv, 19 Dec 2022: EU coal consumption, production to temporarily increase – then fall