UK energy consumption: coal
UK energy consumption: coal stood at 0.06 in Jul 2026, according to GOV.UK official statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Energy production and consumption table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1995 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Energy production and consumption table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy consumption | |||||||||||
| Coal | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.11 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| Primary electricity — net imports | 0.28 | 0.2 | 0.28 | 0.18 | 0.26 | 0.12 | 0.16 | 0.23 | 0.13 | 0.19 |
Understanding UK energy consumption: coal
Aggregate domestic uptake of anthracite, bituminous coal, and manufactured solid fuels across the United Kingdom measures solid mineral fuel consumption by power stations, industrial plants, and remaining residential users. The series tracks physical tonnages utilised in combustion and transformation processes, adjusted for calorific value and moisture, while excluding solid fuels exported abroad. In contrast to liquid petroleum or gaseous hydrocarbon series, this metric captures solid commodities undergoing continuous structural decline in utilisation.
Interpreting the figures requires accounting for seasonal heating demand and scheduled operational adjustments at remaining coal-fired electricity generation units. Initial monthly returns from major industrial consumers are subject to routine revisions as stock and delivery audits are completed. Year-on-year comparisons are recommended to evaluate the gradual phase-out of solid fuel consumption across the economy.
Frequently asked questions
- Which sectors consume the largest share of solid coal?
- Historically, electricity generation and heavy industrial manufacturing processes account for most solid fuel use.
- Does this series include imported coal consumed domestically?
- Yes, unlike domestic production series, consumption includes both domestically extracted and imported solid fuels.
- Why are annual comparisons preferred for this fuel category?
- Long-term policy transitions and seasonal weather variations make year-on-year trends more informative than monthly changes.