The final consumption of sub-bituminous coal in Austria has experienced a steady decline from 2013 to 2023, dropping from 73.78 thousand metric tons to 48.06 thousand metric tons. Annual variations illustrate significant fluctuations, with drastic reductions observed in 2016 (-14.6%) and 2020 (-9.99%). In recent years, from 2021 to 2023, year-on-year variation has moderated with declines of -9.78%, -5.66%, and -4.8% respectively. The last five-year CAGR up to 2023 was approximately -7.25%, indicating a consistent downward trend. Forecasts suggest a continued decline, projecting a 5-year CAGR of -2.07% leading up to 2028.
Key future trends to monitor include accelerating moves towards alternative energy sources and stringent environmental policies aiming to reduce dependency on coal. Additionally, technological advancements in renewable energies could further accelerate this decline and shape the energy mix in Austria's industrial sector.