The net production of coal in Romania in the first five months of this year totalled 1.647 million tons of oil equivalent, with 11.8% (219.800 toe) less than in the same period of 2015, according to the data centralized by the National Statistics Institute (INS), quoted by Agerpres.

During that period, Romania imported 201.100 toe of net coal, with 24.300 toe (10.8%) less compared to the amount imported in the same period last year, according to Bursa.

Although, in recent years, the national production of coal maintained on a decreasing trend, Romania still occupies the 7th place among coal producers in the European Union countries, according to the draft of the Energy Strategy, published on the website of the Ministry of Energy.

The current supply of coal from the producers in Romania is less than the demand. At the current production (1.5 million tons per year) local producers can provide coal for another 36 years.

The reserves in the lignite concessions can ensure an efficient exploitation for another 15 years, at a production level of 30 million tons per year.