Energy obtained from hard coal is intended to see us through the winter...

Due to the crisis caused by gas shortages, the German parliament has authorised the use of coal-fired power plants for electricity generation. The goal: to save and store as much gas as possible.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (Robert Habeck) explains: "We will use the existing reserves to replace gas as soon as the law enters into force." He adds: "This means that there will be more coal-fired power plants in Germany during the transition period. It is bitter, but in this situation, it is an absolute necessity to reduce gas consumption. We must do and will do everything possible to store as much gas as possible over the summer and autumn."

Germany's gas storage facilities should be full for the winter period. R. Habeck emphasised that this is the main priority.

The legislative amendments are Germany's response to the significant reduction in Russian gas supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. To save gas, less is intended to be used for electricity generation. Instead, coal-fired power plants must be used, which are currently available in limited numbers because their operation is soon to be discontinued or they are in reserve.

Under the law, lignite and hard coal-fired power plants can continue to operate or be recommissioned for electricity generation until the end of March 2024. (...)
Photo by Siphiwe Sibeko, Reuters, used from the original article