This paper studies coal consumption of the Chilean economy from 1933 to 1960, identifying the different sectors of highest consumption. The main features can be summarized as: a) almost all coal consumed was produced in the country; b) coal was the main source of primary energy of the time; c) above, it shows the relative delay in the transition to petroleum-derived fuels; d) railway and industry sectors were the main consumers of coal and only at the end is there a noteworthy use of coal to produce electricity (secondary energy). Our hypothesis is that high consumption of coal as primary energy in advanced periods of industrialization, delaying the transition to oil and electricity consumption, is a sign of difficulties in adopting higher-productivity technology.