In Germany, 15 coal-fired power plants were shut down on Easter

On the previous Sunday and Monday, Germany saw 15 coal-fired power plants vanish from its energy landscape. Officials clarify that this isn’t just a temporary halt due to decreased demand; it’s a permanent shutdown. Among them were 8 hard coal-fired plants and 7 lignite-fired plants, altogether capable of generating 4.4 GW of electricity.

“Economy Minister Robert Habeck stated in an interview with the dpa news agency on Monday that several coal-fired power plants, which were added to the grid in recent years as a precaution, are now surplus to requirements and can be permanently shut down.”

Germany’s pro-environmental policies had initially aimed for this transition to occur much earlier. However, following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and the subsequent concerns about energy security, a decision was made to delay the disconnection of these coal-fired power plants from the grid for the past two years. Given Germany’s significant reliance on Russian gas, there was a pressing need to navigate through the energy crisis, which was largely managed through the continued operation of coal-fired plants. Despite previous plans for closure, many of these plants were kept operational, while some that were previously shut down, like Niederaußem, Neurath, and Jänschwalde, were brought back online.

Habeck also noted that electricity and gas prices have experienced a substantial decrease and have stabilized. He emphasized that the advancement of renewable energy sources has resulted in the majority of electricity being generated from clean and climate-friendly sources.

The advantage of renewable energy in the energy mix

Germany, much like our own country, has long relied on coal for a significant portion of its energy production. However, there has been a noticeable decline in coal’s contribution to electricity generation. In 2022, coal-fired power plants accounted for just over 31% of electricity generation, dropping to 25.6% in 2023.

This decrease in coal usage is part of a broader trend towards renewable energy sources. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, renewable energy accounted for 52% of Germany’s electricity production last year. Wind energy emerged as the frontrunner, comprising 31% of the total, surpassing coal’s contribution of 26.1%.

Looking ahead, Germany has ambitious plans to phase out coal entirely by 2030, further solidifying its commitment to renewable energy.

source: forsal.pl