Over the Easter weekend, Germany closed seven coal-fired power stations, according to statements from power generators RWE and LEAG on Sunday. The government’s decision to reactivate five plants during the winter due to a gas supply shortfall, coupled with its efforts to decrease reliance on Russian gas, led to this action.
Five of the shut-down plants were situated in the Rheinish mining district near Cologne, Western Germany, including sites like Grevenbroich-Neurath and Bergheim-Niederaussem. This move results in decommissioning approximately 2,100 megawatts (MW) of lignite capacity, as stated by operator RWE. Additionally, two plants in Jänschwalde, Brandenburg, near Berlin, were shut down after being brought back online recently.
The decision to keep coal plants operational stemmed from Germany’s strategy to address climate change, which faced challenges following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In response to the war and subsequent energy price spikes, Germany opted to extend the lifespan of some coal-fired plants and temporarily restart others. This strategy also involved delaying the closure of several nuclear power plants as a contingency measure.
Despite concerns, Germany’s grid operator assured the public that the shutdown of coal plants wouldn’t impair power supply security following the end of the 2023/4 winter season. However, the decision to delay closures necessitates a review by the Economy Ministry to assess the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and propose offsetting measures by the end of June.
The move to close coal-fired power plants was praised by Green Party lawmaker Kathrin Henneberger, who emphasized its significance in combating the climate crisis and achieving climate goals.
