Coal in Russia

Coal is an important part of Russia's energy system. From August 2024 to July 2025, fossil fuels (coal and gas) made up about 63.9% of electricity generation. Coal made up about 18% of this, and gas made up about 45%. Earlier estimates put coal's share of the total energy supply at about 16%, but its ongoing use in making electricity shows how important it still is. But the Russian coal industry is in a lot of trouble financially and structurally. Exports to Europe have fallen sharply (Europe's share of Russian coal exports fell to about 13% in 2024), and shipments to China and other Asian markets are having trouble with tariffs and logistics. In early 2025, the government put in place support measures like tax deferrals and debt restructuring to help companies that were having trouble. Despite these efforts, the sector has experienced large losses, reflecting weak prices, sanctions, and competition. Globally, coal demand reached record levels in 2024, but growth is slowing, while domestically, coal mining and use continue to contribute significantly to air and water pollution, methane emissions, and climate change.