煤炭歷來是歐洲電力和能源供應(yīng)體系的重要組成部分。本土生產(chǎn)和進(jìn)口燃料共同供應(yīng)了歐洲一次能源市場(chǎng)約15%的份額。歐盟約25%的電力是以煤炭為基礎(chǔ)的，而鋼鐵和原材料行業(yè)也需要大量的煤炭。

Coal has traditionally been an essential part of the European electricity and energy supply system. Indigenous production and imported fuel together supply some 15% of the European primary energy market. About 25% of the EU’s electricity is coal based, while large quantities of coal are also required by the steel and raw-materials industries.