The German lignite industry in the year 2000

German lignite production increased by 4 % from 161.3 mill. in 1999 to 167.7 mill. t in 2000. About 91 % (153.2 mill. t) of the output in 2000, which corresponds to a calorific value of 52.1 mill. t coal units, were used in power stations for general supply. This was 5.7 % more than in the previous year. 14.5 mill. t were used essentially in colliery power stations to generate electricity and heat and in factories in the mining industry to manufacture solid products such as pulverised coal, briquettes, fluidised-bed coal and coke. In 2000 lignite accounted for 25.9 % of the total electricity generated in Germany.