Coal

Carbonization; is the process of alteration of plants. Peat, lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal (hard coal) and anthracite are formed by turning into each other.

Coal; It is used in electricity production, heating, iron-steel and cement industry and other fields of industry.

Coal ranked second after oil with a share of 25,9% in world primary energy consumption in 2024. In the world electricity production, it ranked first with a share of 34,0%.

According to Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 data, as of the end of 2020, the total anthracite and bituminous coals, sub-bituminous coals and lignite reserves in the world are 1,07 trillion tons, of which 753,6 billion tons (70%) is anthracite and bituminous coal (hard coal), 320,5 billion tons (30%) are sub-bituminous coals and lignite.

The largest part of the world's anthracite and bituminous coal reserves is located in the USA with a share of 29,1% (218.94 billion tons). China with 17,9% share (135,07 billion tons), India with 14,1% (105,98 billion tons), Australia with 9,8% (73,72 billion tons), 9,5% Russia (71,72 billion tons) follows the USA. The largest part of the world's sub-bituminous coal and lignite reserves is located in the Russian Federation with a share of 28,2% (90,45 billion tons). Australia with 23,9% (76,51 billion tons), Germany with 11,2% (35,90 billion tons), USA with 9,4% (30,00 billion tons), 3,7% Indonesia (11,73 billion tons) and Türkiye with 3,4% (10,98 billion tons) follow Russia.

Türkiye's total coal resource is approximately 22,00 billion tons, with 20,53 billion tons of lignite and asphaltite (93,3%) and 1,52 billion tons of hard coal (6,7%).The lower calorific value of Türkiye's Hard Coal varies between 6.200 - 7.250 kcal/kg. Although the heating values of our lignite source vary between 1.000 kcal/kg and 4.200 kcal/kg, approximately 79% of them have a lower heating value below 2.500 kcal/kg.

According to Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 data, a total of 9,24 billion tons of coal was produced in the world in 2024, breaking an all-time production record. China ranked first with 4,78 billion tons (51,7%) of production.

According to Enerdata 2025 data, a total of 8,82 billion tons of coal was consumed in the world in 2024, breaking the all-time consumption record. China ranked first with a consumption of 4,88 billion tons (55,3%).

According to the data of General Directorate Of Mining And Petroleum Affairs, Türkiye's run of mine coal production in 2024; 86,78 million tons of lignite, 0,68 million tons of asphaltite, 1,39 million tons of hard coal, totaling 88,85 million tons.

108,65 million tons of coal (42,35 million tons of hard coal + 60,64 million tons of lignite and asphaltite + 5,66 million tons of hard coal coke) was consumed in Türkiye in 2025.The largest share in the consumption of hard coal, lignite and asphaltite belonged to thermal power plants with 62,4% and 80,3%, respectively.

Türkiye's average coal (hard coal, hard coal coke, lignite and asphaltite) consumption between 2021-2025 was approximately 111,4 million tons.

In Türkiye, in 2024, a total of 122.748,83 GWh electricity was produced from coal-fired power plants, with 47.340,56 GWh from domestic coal-fired (lignite+asphaltite+hard coal) power plants and 75.408,27 GWh from imported coal-based power plants. In 2024, the share of electricity produced from coal-based power plants in total electricity production was 35,4%, while the share of domestic coal (lignite + hard coal + asphaltite) was 13,6%.

As of April 2026, in Türkiye; There are a total of 68 coal-fired power plants, including 1 asphaltite, 47 lignite, 4 hard coal and 16 imported coal-fired power plants.

As of April 2026, Türkiye's coal-based power plant installed power corresponds to 17,6% of the total installed power. The ratio of the domestic coal-based installed power to the total installed power was 9,2%.

Date of Update: 18 May 2026