“Starting from August 1st of this year, in accordance with this package, the countries of the EU impose a full ban on the supply of coal from Russia. According to the wording of the document, the measure includes “”a ban on the purchase, import or transfer of coal and other types of solid fossil fuels to the EU if they come from Russia or are exported from Russia, starting from August 2022.””

At the time of the decision, it was noted that the import of Russian coal to the EU amounts to 8 billion euros per year. According to the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, the share of EU countries in the total export of Russian coal in 2021 was 21.8% – slightly more than 48.7 million tons of coal. In 2020, the figure was slightly higher – 22% of total exports. According to Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov, the products of Russian coal companies, in the conditions of the EU’s refusal to import, will be redirected to alternative markets.

Meanwhile, Europe, in an attempt to reduce the consumption of Russian gas, is increasing the use of coal in the power industry. In particular, France has announced the possible restart of the Saint-Avold coal-fired power station in the northeast of the country. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2022, coal consumption in the EU will increase by 7% compared to last year’s surge of 14%.

Source: RIA Novosti.”