The EU just smashed records, but not the kind it should be proud of! Coal consumption and production in the European Union have dropped to historic lows. Yes, you read that right — the lowest ever! According to Eurostat data, coal production fell by 12% compared to last year, while consumption dropped by 13%. And that’s not the end of the plunge — between 2020 and 2021, the drop was even more dramatic: consumption fell by 23%, production by 21%.
What’s going on? The share of coal in the EU’s electricity production has shrunk by 16%, now making up only 12% of total electricity generation. This means coal is becoming less and less important to the power sector.
Here’s another jaw-dropping fact: coal imports from Russia have plummeted by a staggering 98% due to sanctions! This has caused a major shake-up in the EU’s coal supply structure. Today, a whopping 90% of the EU’s net hard coal imports come from just five countries: Australia, the USA, Colombia, South Africa, and Kazakhstan.
This decline isn’t just a number — it’s a sign that Europe is rapidly shifting towards cleaner energy sources, and the coal era is definitely on its way out. But is this the end of coal’s reign or just the start of a new energy drama?
If you think this is the end of the story, think again. Europe is changing its energy habits, and this will have consequences for the economy, industry, and everyday life. Are you ready for a world without coal? Or will this drop stop and bounce back? Share your thoughts, because this topic is far from over!
