Germany drops plans for major gas plant expansion

• 9 days ago (2024-12-12)
• David Flin

Europe 1094 Gas 395

---

Germany has dropped plans for a major expansion of gas-fired power plants because of a lack of political support.

A final draft law on the expansion plans, that had been negotiated with the EU Commission, could not be voted in parliament after Olaf Scholz’ three-party coalition collapsed.

Germany wanted to build gas-fired power plants to help phase out coal by 2030. The country is rapidly expanding its renewable energy sources, but exited nuclear power in 2023. The plan to expand gas-fired plants was meant to underpin the grid when wind and solar supplies ebb.

Germany had planned to auction 5 GW of new units in early 2025 and another 5 GW as part of a new capacity mechanism, expected to be ready by 2028.