Romania’s coal production in the first six months of this year totaled 929,700 tonnes of oil equivalent, 19.8% lower (minus 230,100 toe) than in the same period in 2023, according to data centralized by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Imports of coal amounted to 95,900 toe, down 42,400 toe (minus 30.7%) compared to January-June 2023.
The dynamics of both coal production and imports are expected to decrease in the period 2024-2027, as other energy production capacities will be put into operation, decreasing by 11.4% and 24.5%, respectively, according to the latest Energy Balance Forecast, published by the National Strategy and Prognosis Commission (CNSP).
Thus, according to CNSP estimates, coal production will total 1.92 million tonnes of oil equivalent this year, down by 17.3% compared to the previous year, in 2025 – 1.718 million toe (minus 10.5%), in 2026 – 1.555 million toe (minus 9.5%) and in 2027 – 1.432 million toe (minus 7.9%).
Imports will decrease in 2024 by 15.4% compared to 2023, to 206,000 toe, in 2025 by 20.5% to 164,000 toe, in 2026 by 26.3% to 121,000 toe and in 2027 by 34.4% to 79,000 toe.
The production and consumption of coal in the European Union reached in 2023 the lowest level since the beginning of statistical data collection, as production fell 22% compared to 2022 to 274 million tonnes and consumption fell some 23% to 351 million tonnes, preliminary data recently published by Eurostat show.
According to the quoted source, the drop of more than 100 million tonnes of coal consumption in a single year appears to be one of the biggest ever decreases for this type of fuel in the EU. Among member states, Germany (37%) and Poland (27%) were the main consumers of coal in the EU, accounting for almost two-thirds of total consumption.
For pit coal, the EU bloc’s production in 2023 was just 50 million tons, 82% lower than the 277 million tonnes produced in 1990. EU pit coal consumption in 2023 is estimated at 128 million tons, 42% lower than six years ago. Poland and the Czech Republic are the only EU countries that still produce pit coal, and Poland is the only country that uses pit coal as a major source of electricity. By comparison, in 1990, 13 of the EU’s current member states produced pit coal.
AGERPRES
