Germany is first major economy to phase out coal and nuclear
4 years, 8 months ago

Germany is first major economy to phase out coal and nuclear

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German lawmakers have finalized the country’s long-awaited phase-out of coal as an energy source, backing a plan that environmental groups say isn’t ambitious enough and free marketeers criticize as a waste of taxpayers’ money. The plan is part of Germany’s ‘energy transition’ - an effort to wean Europe’s biggest economy off planet-warming fossil fuels and generate all of the country’s considerable energy needs from renewable sources. “Germany, the country that burns the greatest amount of lignite coal worldwide, will burden the next generation with 18 more years of carbon dioxide,” Greenpeace Germany’s executive director Martin Kaiser told The Associated Press. Environmentalists have also criticized the large sums being offered to coal companies to shut down their plants, a complaint shared by libertarians such as Germany’s opposition Free Democratic Party. But the head of Germany’s main miners’ union, Michael Vassiliadis, welcomed the decision, calling it a “historic milestone.” He urged the government to focus next on expanding renewable energy generation and the use of hydrogen, which is being touted as a long-term replacement for natural gas.

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History of this topic

German energy transition could be 300 bln euros cheaper with more efficiency, finds study
1 week ago

German energy transition could be 300 bln euros cheaper with more efficiency, finds study

Live Mint  

BERLIN, March 20 - Germany could save more than 300 billion euros by 2035 by implementing the energy transition more efficiently, according to a study from the Boston Consulting Group and the country's BDI industry association released on Thursday. The BDI study calculated the savings based on current plans, which are expected to cost 1.57 trillion euros over the next …

How solar power overtook coal in Europe for clean energy landmark
2 months ago

How solar power overtook coal in Europe for clean energy landmark

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “At the start of the European Green Deal in 2019, few thought the EU’s energy transition could …

Europe sets clean energy record as solar overtakes coal for first time
2 months ago

Europe sets clean energy record as solar overtakes coal for first time

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “At the start of the European Green Deal in 2019, few thought the EU’s energy transition could …

Sun Is Powering Europe's Clean Energy Transition — Generated More Electricity Than Coal Did In 2024, Ember Report Says
2 months ago

Sun Is Powering Europe's Clean Energy Transition — Generated More Electricity Than Coal Did In 2024, Ember Report Says

ABP News  

The Sun is shining bright on Europe. Solar is the rising star.” Why Solar Rose And Coal Fell Unlike the sharp declines in EU's power demand observed over the previous two years, 2024 saw a modest increase of 31 TWh. The Ember report finds that solar energy emerged as the fastest-growing power source in 2024, even though Europe got less …

As 142 years of coal comes to an end, how close is the UK to 100% clean energy?
5 months, 3 weeks ago

As 142 years of coal comes to an end, how close is the UK to 100% clean energy?

The Independent  

When Scottish inventor James Watt came up with a new steam engine design in 1765 that required 75 per cent less coal to operate than its predecessor, many people logically presumed that coal consumption would plummet. By 1882, the world’s first coal power plant opened in London to launch a new era of electricity generation that continues to see coal …

Germany reduces use of fossil fuels
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Germany reduces use of fossil fuels

China Daily  

Electrical power pylons with high-voltage power lines are seen during sunset near Weselitz, Germany November 18, 2022. Germany has taken another step in its attempts to cut carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuel energy sources by shutting down seven coal-fired power stations during the Easter weekend, power generator companies RWE and LEAG have said. "In view of the worsening …

In Europe, wind power now generates more electricity than coal
1 year, 2 months ago

In Europe, wind power now generates more electricity than coal

Firstpost  

Europe’s power producers generated more electricity from wind than from coal for the first time in the last quarter of 2023, marking a key milestone for regional energy transition efforts. New policy support agreed by European lawmakers in late 2023, including financing for turbine manufacturers and shorter permitting times for developers, should help further boost regional wind generation in 2024, …

Germany’s CO2 emissions are at their lowest in 7 decades, study shows
1 year, 2 months ago

Germany’s CO2 emissions are at their lowest in 7 decades, study shows

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Carbon dioxide emissions in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, dropped to their lowest level in seven decades as the use of coal declined unexpectedly sharply in 2023 and economic pressures weighed down production by energy-intensive industry, according to a study released Thursday. The Agora Energiewende think tank said its preliminary calculations show that Germany emitted 673 million metric tons …

Once a global ideal, Germany's economy struggles with an energy shock that's exposing longtime flaws
1 year, 6 months ago

Once a global ideal, Germany's economy struggles with an energy shock that's exposing longtime flaws

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Germany risks “deindustrialization” as high energy costs and government …

Germany hails EU deal on renewable energy raising target for 2030 to 45%
1 year, 9 months ago

Germany hails EU deal on renewable energy raising target for 2030 to 45%

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s economy minister welcomed a deal Friday among European Union countries to increase by more than a third the bloc’s renewable energy target for 2030. “The new European rules will trigger an investment boom for renewables and make it legally binding,” said Economy Minister Robert Habeck, whose portfolio includes energy and climate. Under the new rules, countries that …

Germany bids farewell to its last nuclear plants, eyes hydrogen future
1 year, 11 months ago

Germany bids farewell to its last nuclear plants, eyes hydrogen future

Associated Press  

LINGEN, Germany — For 35 years, the Emsland nuclear power plant in northwestern Germany has reliably provided millions of homes with electricity and many with well-paid jobs in what was once an agricultural backwater. “Energy efficiency, wind, and solar energy will soon become dominant sources, but in the meantime, it is wisest to continue to run existing nuclear,” as long …

This village stands in the way of Germany’s coal revival
2 years, 2 months ago

This village stands in the way of Germany’s coal revival

Hindustan Times  

The protest started cheerfully enough on Wednesday, with music blaring and flags flying even under the driving rain. Police face protesters during a large-scale protest to stop the demolition of the village Luetzerath to make way for an open-air coal mine extension on Saturday As Germany turns back to the dirtiest fossil fuel to counter a global energy crisis triggered …

Germany's Scholz warns against fossil fuel 'renaissance'
2 years, 4 months ago

Germany's Scholz warns against fossil fuel 'renaissance'

The Hindu  

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday urged COP27 participants not to lose sight of renewable energy targets despite the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "There must not be a worldwide renaissance of fossil fuels," Scholz said in a speech at the climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. As a result, officials had made the decision to restart mothballed …

German leader warns against ‘worldwide renaissance’ for coal
2 years, 5 months ago

German leader warns against ‘worldwide renaissance’ for coal

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Thursday that Russia’s war in Ukraine mustn’t lead to a “worldwide renaissance” for coal — comments that come as Germany itself brings coal-fired power plants back online in an effort to prevent an energy crunch this winter. The government has in recent months approved reactivating several coal- and oil-fired power plants, and environmental …

Germany overrides allies, keeps 3 nuclear power plants running
2 years, 5 months ago

Germany overrides allies, keeps 3 nuclear power plants running

LA Times  

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ordered ministers Monday to prepare to keep all of the country’s three remaining nuclear plants running until mid-April, putting his foot down on an issue that had threatened to split his three-party government. The environmentalist Greens, led by Economy and Energy Minister Robert Habeck, had argued that only two nuclear plants in southern Germany — Isar …

Thunberg: Coal worse than keeping German nuclear plants on
2 years, 5 months ago

Thunberg: Coal worse than keeping German nuclear plants on

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Climate activist Greta Thunberg says it would be “a mistake” for Germany to switch off its nuclear power plants if that means the country must burn more planet-heating coal. Asked whether it would be better for the planet if Germany keeps its three remaining nuclear plants going, Thunberg responded: “If we have them already running, I feel that …

German energy company RWE to end coal use by 2030
2 years, 5 months ago

German energy company RWE to end coal use by 2030

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German energy company RWE said Tuesday that it will phase out the burning of coal by 2030, saving 280 million metric tons of climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions. Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who is responsible for energy, said negotiations with the operators of Germany’s other coal mines and eight coal-fired power plants were ongoing. In parallel to its phaseout …

Amid an energy crisis, Germany turns to the world's dirtiest fossil fuel
2 years, 6 months ago

Amid an energy crisis, Germany turns to the world's dirtiest fossil fuel

NPR  

Amid an energy crisis, Germany turns to the world's dirtiest fossil fuel Enlarge this image toggle caption Rob Schmitz/NPR Rob Schmitz/NPR DORTMUND, Germany — Power Plant Manager Bernard Vendt stands on a platform jutting out from a smokestack, 20 stories above his company's chemical park. The coal's destination lies underneath Vendt in a massive furnace whose heat will spin turbines …

Germany argues over nuclear shutdown amid gas supply worries
55 years, 2 months ago

Germany argues over nuclear shutdown amid gas supply worries

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Rising concern over the impact of a potential Russian gas cutoff is fueling the debate in Germany over whether the country should switch off its last three nuclear power plants as planned at the end of this year. “A lot speaks for not switching off the safe and climate-friendly nuclear power plants, but if necessary using them until …

German official: Nuclear would do little to solve gas issue
2 years, 8 months ago

German official: Nuclear would do little to solve gas issue

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s vice chancellor on Tuesday defended the government’s commitment to ending the use of nuclear power at the end of this year, arguing that keeping its few remaining reactors running would be complex and do little to address the problems caused by a possible natural gas shortfall. Germany’s main opposition party has called repeatedly for the country’s last …

Germany faces natural gas ‘crisis,’ raises warning level
2 years, 9 months ago

Germany faces natural gas ‘crisis,’ raises warning level

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany activated the second phase of its three-stage emergency plan for natural gas supplies Thursday, warning that Europe’s biggest economy faces a “crisis” and storage targets for the winter are at risk after Russia reduced energy deliveries to several countries. The government said the decision follows cuts Russia made to natural gas flows starting last week and surging …

Germany sticks to 2030 coal exit target amid energy worries
2 years, 9 months ago

Germany sticks to 2030 coal exit target amid energy worries

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German government said Monday that it remains committed to its goal of phasing out coal as a power source by 2030, despite deepening worries about a cut in Russia’s gas supplies. In neighboring Netherlands, the government announced Monday that despite Moscow’s reductions in gas deliveries to parts of Europe it still plans to close the biggest Dutch …

German leader rules out nuclear option to fill energy gaps
2 years, 9 months ago

German leader rules out nuclear option to fill energy gaps

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that his government remains committed to phasing out nuclear power despite concerns about rising energy prices and possible future shortages due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Opposition parties have called for the lifetimes of Germany’s nuclear plants to be extended, a proposal that Finance Minister Christian Lindner from the pro-businesses Free Democrats …

Bountiful wind, sun boost German renewable power this year
2 years, 11 months ago

Bountiful wind, sun boost German renewable power this year

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany recorded about 25% more electricity generated from renewable sources in the first three months of the year compared with the same period last year thanks to unusually windy and sunny weather, industry officials said Monday. Preliminary calculations by the energy lobby group BDEW and the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research indicate that Germany generated about …

Will Ukraine war revitalise coal – world’s dirtiest fossil fuel?
3 years ago

Will Ukraine war revitalise coal – world’s dirtiest fossil fuel?

Al Jazeera  

Coal demand began surging in 2021 as gas prices rose, an effect intensified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, threatening the EU’s legally binding 2030 climate target. The president of last year’s COP26 may have called for it to be “consigned to history” but demand for little-loved coal, the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel, has surged in recent weeks. “Countries that …

EU wants to allow natural gas, nuclear in green investment
3 years, 1 month ago

EU wants to allow natural gas, nuclear in green investment

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Wednesday proposed including nuclear energy and natural gas in its plans for building a climate-friendly future, dividing member countries and drawing outcry from environmentalists as “greenwashing.” The green labeling system from the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, defines what qualifies as an investment in sustainable energy in the 27-nation bloc. The plan seemed …

Germany faces ‘gigantic’ task meeting energy, climate goals
3 years, 2 months ago

Germany faces ‘gigantic’ task meeting energy, climate goals

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s new climate minister said Tuesday that the country faces a “gigantic” task if it wants to achieve its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring sufficient energy for its energy-hungry industry. The government plans to phase out coal power “ideally” by 2030 as well, filling the gap with less polluting natural gas until enough renewable energy …

Germany shuts down half of its 6 remaining nuclear plants
3 years, 2 months ago

Germany shuts down half of its 6 remaining nuclear plants

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany on Friday shut down half of the six nuclear plants it still has in operation, a year before the country draws the final curtain on its decades-long use of atomic power. Some in Germany have called for the decision on ending the use of nuclear power to be reconsidered because the power plants already in operation produce …

Germany calls nuclear power ‘dangerous,’ rejects EU plan
3 years, 2 months ago

Germany calls nuclear power ‘dangerous,’ rejects EU plan

Al Jazeera  

Germany is moving to shut down its remaining three nuclear power plants this year amid concerns over the safety of the technology. The German government has said that it considers nuclear energy dangerous and objects to European Union proposals that would let the technology remain part of the bloc’s plans for a climate-friendly future. Germany is on course to switch …

Germany shuts down half of its remaining nuclear plants
3 years, 2 months ago

Germany shuts down half of its remaining nuclear plants

Live Mint  

Germany on Friday is shutting down half of the six nuclear plants it still has in operation, a year before the country draws the final curtain on its decades-long use of atomic power. Some in Germany have called for the decision to end the use of nuclear power to be reconsidered again because the power plants already in operation produce …

Germany’s incoming government unveils plans to legalize cannabis and phase out coal
3 years, 4 months ago

Germany’s incoming government unveils plans to legalize cannabis and phase out coal

CNN  

CNN — Three German political parties have sealed a deal for a new government, with left-leaning Olaf Scholz the proposed next chancellor following lengthy coalition negotiations and a historic election that sees Angela Merkel stepping down after 16 years at the helm. Michele Tantussi/Getty Images But on Wednesday Germany’s three-party coalition government presented a smiling, united front to gathered reporters. …

Germany to slip back in cutting greenhouse gases, emission to grow by largest amount since 1990: Study
3 years, 7 months ago

Germany to slip back in cutting greenhouse gases, emission to grow by largest amount since 1990: Study

India Today  

Germany is forecast to slip back below the threshold it had set for cutting greenhouse gases by 2020, amid a post-pandemic recovery and unfavorable conditions for renewable energy, according to a report by an environmental think tank Sunday. Berlin-based Agora Energiewende examined data from the first half of 2021 to forecast that total emissions in Germany this year will be …

Global emissions goals come with big cost and political hurdles
3 years, 11 months ago

Global emissions goals come with big cost and political hurdles

Live Mint  

Countries aiming to sharply reduce their emissions to meet climate goals must be prepared for staggering costs and looming political battles as they seek to overhaul swaths of their economies, climate analysts and economists say. China needs to invest $21 trillion over three decades to overhaul transportation, industry and construction while building nuclear, wind and solar production facilities to reach …

Renewables outstrip fossil fuels as the EU’s main source of power
4 years, 2 months ago

Renewables outstrip fossil fuels as the EU’s main source of power

Al Jazeera  

Renewables overtook fossil fuels as the European Union’s main source of electricity for the first time in 2020 as new projects came online and coal power shrank, a report shows. Renewable sources such as wind and solar generated 38 percent of the 27-member bloc’s electricity in 2020, with fossil fuels such as coal and gas contributing 37 percent, the report …

Germany agrees timeline, compensation for coal phase-out
5 years, 2 months ago

Germany agrees timeline, compensation for coal phase-out

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany will pay utility companies billions of euros to speed up the shutdown of their coal-fired power plants as part of the country’s efforts to fight climate change, the government said Thursday. Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said that operators of heavily polluting coal-fired power plants in western Germany will receive 2.6 billion euros in compensation for switching them …

Renewable energy providing more electricity than coal and nuclear power combined in Germany
5 years, 8 months ago

Renewable energy providing more electricity than coal and nuclear power combined in Germany

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Renewable sources of energy produced more electricity than coal and nuclear power combined for the …

Germany says emissions dropped in 2018 amid warm weather
5 years, 11 months ago

Germany says emissions dropped in 2018 amid warm weather

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 4.2% in 2018, the first major decrease in Europe’s biggest economy four years, thanks in large part to warm weather. Environment Minister Svenja Schulze acknowledged that Germany benefited from last year’s warm and sunny weather, which increased production of renewable energy and reduced the need for heating fuel. “Germans simply heated their homes …

AP Explains: How Germany hopes to quit using coal
6 years, 2 months ago

AP Explains: How Germany hopes to quit using coal

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany wants to stop using coal, a major source of the carbon emissions that drive climate change. Ottmar Edenhofer, co-director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said the best way for Germany to avoid yellow vest-style protests, the ones seen in France over a fuel tax increase meant to discourage fossil fuel use, would be for …

Renewable energy replaces coal as Germany’s main power source for first time
6 years, 2 months ago

Renewable energy replaces coal as Germany’s main power source for first time

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Renewable sources of energy overtook coal as Germany’s main power source for the first time …

Germany paid people to use electricity over the holidays because its grid is so clean
7 years, 2 months ago

Germany paid people to use electricity over the holidays because its grid is so clean

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Electricity prices in the country went negative for many customers - as in, below zero - on Sunday and …

Coal Power In A ‘Death Spiral’ In Europe, Where More Than Half Of Plants Lose Money
7 years, 3 months ago

Coal Power In A ‘Death Spiral’ In Europe, Where More Than Half Of Plants Lose Money

Huff Post  

Steam rises from an RWE coal power plant in Niederaussem, Germany, in March 2016. Wolfgang Rattay / Reuters Coal power is in a “death spiral” in the European Union, with 54 percent of its coal plants losing money, according to a new report published Friday. Ninety-seven percent of the EU’s 619 coal plants will be losing money by 2030, according …

Why Germany has a dirty climate secret
7 years, 8 months ago

Why Germany has a dirty climate secret

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Paul Hockenos is a Berlin-based writer, author of several books on Europe including most recently Berlin Calling: A Story of Anarchy, Music, the Wall and the Birth of the New Berlin. If even Germany can’t live up to its obligations, the international goal set at the 2015 Paris climate summit of keeping the rise in global temperatures below …

Germany breaks green energy record by generating 35% of power from renewables in first half of 2017
7 years, 8 months ago

Germany breaks green energy record by generating 35% of power from renewables in first half of 2017

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Germany raised the proportion of …

Coal to be India's energy mainstay for next 30 years despite renewables push, says NITI report – Firstpost
7 years, 10 months ago

Coal to be India's energy mainstay for next 30 years despite renewables push, says NITI report – Firstpost

Firstpost  

By 2047, however, coal’s share of India’s energy mix would shrink to 42-48 percent, from about 58 percent in 2015, New Delhi: Coal will remain India’s main energy source for the next three decades although its share will gradually fall as the country pushes renewable power generation, according to a government report. By 2047, however, coal’s share of India’s energy …

EU must kick coal habit by 2030 and the rest of the world by 2050 to meet Paris emissions targets, report says
8 years, 1 month ago

EU must kick coal habit by 2030 and the rest of the world by 2050 to meet Paris emissions targets, report says

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The report said: “A fast coal phase-out strategy in the European Union represents not only a necessity but also …

Finland plans to completely phase out coal by 2030
8 years, 4 months ago

Finland plans to completely phase out coal by 2030

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The government announced the goal on Thursday in its …

Renewable energy just provided Germany with almost all of its power
8 years, 10 months ago

Renewable energy just provided Germany with almost all of its power

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Solar and wind power peaked at 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, allowing renewables to supply 45.5 gigawatts as …

Germany Looks To Replace Nuclear Power
13 years, 8 months ago

Germany Looks To Replace Nuclear Power

NPR  

Germany Looks To Replace Nuclear Power Germany's decision to close its 17 nuclear power plants and invest more in alternative energy has been welcome by environmentalists. WESTERVELT: To reach the federal government's ambitious goal of having 35 percent of the country's electricity from renewable sources by 2020, experts say Germany has to invest heavily in ways to transfer the green …

Germany decides to abandon nuclear power by 2022
13 years, 9 months ago

Germany decides to abandon nuclear power by 2022

The Hindu  

Germany’s coalition government agreed early Monday to shut down all the country’s nuclear power plants by 2022, the environment minister said, making it the first major industrialized power to go nuclear—free since the Japanese disaster. The country’s seven oldest reactors already taken off the grid pending safety inspections following the catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in March will …

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