Rail takes the strain as imports increase

摘要

Coal consumption in the UK last year came to 60.6 mt, with coal burn by the major electricity generators accounting for almost 80 per cent of this. About one third of electricity generated in the UK came from coal. Steam coal typically accounts for around 80 per cent of imports, with most of the rest being coking coal for steel production. Almost all coking coal has to be imported, but of course there is still a sizeable local steam coal production base as production lost due to closures of deep mines in the past 20 years has been partially offset by increased opencast output, particularly in Scotland.