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Released July 16, 2019 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--A draft bill to phase out the use of all coal-fired power in Germany could be ready before the end of the year.
Germany's Economy Ministry said a law to end the use of coal for power by 2038 will be ready by the end of the year. This would see the closure of more than 80 coal-fired plants over the next 19 years and will impact the livelihoods of more than 60,000 people employed in the power and coal mining sectors. The Ministry is acting on the recommendations of a government-appointed commission comprised of representatives from industry, trade unions, science and environmental groups that spent six months trying to broker a deal. For additional information, see February 4, 2019, article - Germany To Phase Out Coal By 2038.
Germany is the leading renewable energy powerhouse of the European Union (EU), but coal-fired plants still account for roughly 41 gigawatts (GW) of generation capacity, about one-third of Germany's power. The Commission's plan will see coal capacity reduced to 30 GW by the end of 2022 and to 17 GW by the end of 2030. The German government is expected to invest up to 26 billion euro ($29.1 billion) in the affected mining regions. Germany will tender hard-coal plant closure compensation payments during the first tranche of shutdowns. Operators of hard-coal-fired power plants will put forward a bid in the auction for the closure of their plants--those with the lowest bids will be awarded compensation.
Germany's economy minister Peter Altmaier is in talks with Germany's major power companies, including one of the most affected, RWE AG (FWB:RWE) (Essen, Germany). He has just confirmed that first lignite power plant closures will begin with older power plants in western Germany. The Ministry claimed that "talks with RWE are advanced and constructive."
RWE's mines and power stations were impacted last month after thousands of climate change protesters invaded the huge Garzweiler lignite mine and separately cut off the supply of coal to the Neurath plant, one of Germany's biggest coal-fired power stations, by sitting on the rail tracks. RWE has called for a compromise on the coal-fired phase out.
"There is a plan on the table for phasing-out coal and there is no reason to endanger people and carry out illegal actions," says Frank Weigand, chief executive officer of RWE Power. "We naturally respect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protests such as Fridays for Future. But it is not acceptable to deliberately break the law under the guise of climate protection. Blocking tracks and entering opencast mines is dangerous and against the law."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
Germany's Economy Ministry said a law to end the use of coal for power by 2038 will be ready by the end of the year. This would see the closure of more than 80 coal-fired plants over the next 19 years and will impact the livelihoods of more than 60,000 people employed in the power and coal mining sectors. The Ministry is acting on the recommendations of a government-appointed commission comprised of representatives from industry, trade unions, science and environmental groups that spent six months trying to broker a deal. For additional information, see February 4, 2019, article - Germany To Phase Out Coal By 2038.
Germany is the leading renewable energy powerhouse of the European Union (EU), but coal-fired plants still account for roughly 41 gigawatts (GW) of generation capacity, about one-third of Germany's power. The Commission's plan will see coal capacity reduced to 30 GW by the end of 2022 and to 17 GW by the end of 2030. The German government is expected to invest up to 26 billion euro ($29.1 billion) in the affected mining regions. Germany will tender hard-coal plant closure compensation payments during the first tranche of shutdowns. Operators of hard-coal-fired power plants will put forward a bid in the auction for the closure of their plants--those with the lowest bids will be awarded compensation.
Germany's economy minister Peter Altmaier is in talks with Germany's major power companies, including one of the most affected, RWE AG (FWB:RWE) (Essen, Germany). He has just confirmed that first lignite power plant closures will begin with older power plants in western Germany. The Ministry claimed that "talks with RWE are advanced and constructive."
RWE's mines and power stations were impacted last month after thousands of climate change protesters invaded the huge Garzweiler lignite mine and separately cut off the supply of coal to the Neurath plant, one of Germany's biggest coal-fired power stations, by sitting on the rail tracks. RWE has called for a compromise on the coal-fired phase out.
"There is a plan on the table for phasing-out coal and there is no reason to endanger people and carry out illegal actions," says Frank Weigand, chief executive officer of RWE Power. "We naturally respect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protests such as Fridays for Future. But it is not acceptable to deliberately break the law under the guise of climate protection. Blocking tracks and entering opencast mines is dangerous and against the law."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
