Coal in the UK - 2008  

The UK consumed 58.2 million tonnes of coal in 2008, including 47.8 million tonnes in power stations.

Coal imports to the UK were 43.9 million tonnes, a slight increase (+1.2%) on the previous year's amount. Indigenous production increased by 5.3% to 17.9 million tonnes. (Over the year, 2.9 million tonnes was put to stock.)

Almost a third of the UK's electricity was produced from coal (gas 47.5%, coal 32.1%, nuclear 12.9%, others (including renewables) 7.5%).

UK Coal Imports

Coal is therefore a fundamental component of the UK's energy mix, and over 70% of the nation's requirements are imported.

CoalImp - the Association of Coal Importers - believes that imported coal complements indigenous supply as a secure and essential part of the UK energy balance. Coal resources are plentiful, distributed more evenly around the globe than oil or gas, and coal is capable of being transported and stored safely.