Domestic demand for coal in Russia compensates decline in exports - Energy Ministry

KEMEROVO. Oct 7 (Interfax) - Coal production in Russia in January-August 2022 was down by less than 1% year-on-year, Deputy Energy Minister Sergei Mochalnikov said during the "Coal Industry - New Realities" forum in Kemerovo on Friday.

"In 8M, production fell by less than 1%. There is also a decline in exports, but it is compensated by increased demand in the domestic market, which has grown by 7 million tonnes since the beginning of the year," he said.

Mochalnikov recommended that executives of coal and power generating companies think about modernization of old coal-fired power plants.

Speaking of exports, Russia exported about 50 million tonnes of coal a year to Europe in the pre-sanctions period, the deputy minister said.