German energy ministry denies plans for coal-fired exit

• 9 years ago (2014-10-12)
• Junior Isles

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Germany has dismissed reports suggesting it is planning to phase out coal-fired power generation, for environmental reasons, as this would impose too great a burden on industry along with the nuclear phase-out.

German media had hinted that Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel would be planning a medium-term exit from coal, removing 10 GW of generation from service, but quoted no sources.

A ministry spokeswoman rebutted this suggestion, stating that “for a country like Germany with a strong industrial base, exiting nuclear and coal-fired power generation at the same time would not be possible”.

Germany’s current "Energiewende" programme is initiating a shift towards renewable energy to replace nuclear power once its phase-out is completed in 2022.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government is aiming for renewable energy generation to account for 40-45 per cent of energy consumption by 2025, and 55-60 per cent by 2035. Coal-fired generation accounted for around 45 per cent of German power generation in 2013.

The ministry spokeswoman asserted that it was for operators to decide which coal plants to shut down and that only then would the federal network agency approve or decline the closure.

"It's clear, though, that the conventional generation system must adapt to the needs of the Energiewende," the spokeswoman added.