Coal in Russia

Coal supplied about 16% of energy in Russia in 2024, but the industry was the worst performing in the country and lost over 100 billion roubles. Coal power in Russia has been declining since 1990, although Russia has among the largest coal reserves in the world. As of 2023^[update] it is also the world's third largest coal exporter, vying with Australia and Indonesia for markets. It causes pollution in Russia and climate change.

Acknowledging Russia's strained energy system president Vladimir Putin pointed in September 2025 to Russia's coal reserves to offset its gas shortage, insufficient infrastructure and under-developed grid economy.

The major areas of coal production are the Moscow, Pechora, Kuznetsk, Kansk-Achinsk, Irkutsk and South Yakutsk basins. Over two-thirds of coal produced in Russia is used domestically.

Russia is self-sufficient in coal and consumed approximately 258 million tons in 2023. In 2024, coal consumption declined significantly to about 178 million tons, reflecting reduced industrial demand and a continued shift toward alternative energy sources. The percentage of coal in Russian electricity generation has been steadily decreasing since 1990, when it accounted for 20.7% of the mix, largely due to the rising use of natural gas, nuclear, and hydroelectric power. In 2023, coal contributed about 17% of electricity generation, down from 18% in 2022. In 2024, this share further declined to an estimated 15%. Russia's installed coal-fired power generation capacity remained steady at around 40 gigawatts (GW) through both years. By 2025, the share of coal in electricity generation is expected to drop to approximately 14%, driven by energy diversification policies, improved efficiency in other energy sectors, and international climate commitments.

Coal mining is damaging health and the environment. Some greenhouse gas emissions by Russia are from coal. Carbon capture and storage is not cost effective.

Russia, known for its extensive use of coal, is one of the world's top greenhouse gas emitters. The country maintains the world's seventh-largest fleet of coal-fired power stations, which significantly contribute to its carbon emissions. This reliance on coal is particularly impactful because the vast majority of CO₂ emissions in the energy sector come from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for power generation or to fuel vehicles and machines. Despite Russia's investments in renewable energy and nuclear power, the persistent dependence on coal challenges its ability to combat climate change effectively. Many of Russia's heavy industries are coal-dependent, further complicating the nation's efforts to achieve its announced goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. It is essential for Russia to reduce its reliance on coal and amplify its investment in green technologies to mitigate its environmental impact and meet its climate targets.

Most Russian coal exports go to Asian countries, with China being the largest market with a quarter of exports. Coal power plants in Turkey, such as Emba Hunutlu, which burn imported coal prefer Russian because it is cheaper than imports from other countries.

The significant reliance on rail transport is evident as about 28% of Russian rail cargo was coal as of 2023. However, the limited eastbound rail infrastructure from the Kuzbass region, a major coal-mining area, to the Pacific Ocean often leads to congestion and delays. This congestion is particularly problematic given the high demand from Asian markets.