Germany to Reactivate Coal Plants Amid Gas Shortage Risk
Germany is preparing to reactivate old coal power plants to address the risk of gas shortage during the upcoming winter, with plans to use them temporarily and cover related costs through consumer fees.
Consensus
- Germany is preparing to reactivate reserve coal power plants due to the risk of gas shortage in the upcoming winter.
- The initiative is driven by low gas storage levels in Germany, currently below 60%.
- The law would allow the temporary return of coal plants to the electricity market in case of an energy emergency.
- Operators would be required to maintain personnel and fuel reserves, with associated costs to be covered through network fees paid by consumers.
- The reactivation is planned to be completed no later than the end of March 2028.
- The measure applies to plants in the network reserve and those subject to coal burning bans in 2026–2028.
Points of divergence
- The Ministry of Economics plans to transfer the costs of maintaining coal plants directly to end consumers via network fees. — riamo
- The Ministry expects coal and fuel oil to help save gas and stabilize electricity prices, as their supply is not dependent on crisis regions. — riamo
- Michael Kaelner from the Greens criticized the plan as panic-driven and compared it to skiing in summer. — riamo
- The SPD questioned whether the document complies with EU norms and climate goals. — riamo
Coverage (3 sources)
- Germany plans to de-commission coal power plants — РИАМО
- Germany prepares to return coal power plants due to risk of gas shortage — Вести
- Germany wants to de-rust old coal power plants, writes Tagesspiegel. — РИА Новости (Telegram)