German govt seeks to resolve wind power dispute with states
2 years, 6 months ago

German govt seeks to resolve wind power dispute with states

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German government unveiled a bill Wednesday to resolve a long-running dispute between federal authorities and the country’s 16 states over where to build land-based wind power plants. Some German states have bristled at proposals that would require them to set aside at least 1.4% of their surface for wind parks by 2026 and 2% by 2032, arguing that some people in rural areas don’t want turbines close to their homes. The compromise bill agreed to by the German Cabinet would give states some flexibility to build fewer wind power plants if they can persuade other states to agree to build more, including by paying them. Climate and Energy Minister Robert Habeck said the proposals “will result in the expansion of wind power in Germany getting going again.” Under Germany’s energy transition plan, the country’s remaining three nuclear plants are due to close this year and coal-fired power plants to be phased out by 2030.

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History of this topic

Germany’s top court rejects renewable energy producers’ case against use of windfall profits
3 weeks, 5 days ago

Germany’s top court rejects renewable energy producers’ case against use of windfall profits

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s highest court on Thursday rejected complaints by renewable energy producers against a government decision in 2022 to use their “excess profits” to help finance a cap on electricity prices. A submission to the Federal Constitutional Court by 22 generators of wind, solar and biomass energy argued that dealing with the energy crisis that followed Russia’s full-scale invasion …

Germany reduces use of fossil fuels
8 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 …

Here are the big hurdles to the global push to build up renewable energy
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Here are the big hurdles to the global push to build up renewable energy

Associated Press  

The world’s governments have agreed they want to triple renewable energy by 2030, a goal laid out at the U.N. climate summit in December. Here are the big hurdles to solar, wind and other renewable energy projects: COSTLY CREDIT Central banks in Europe and the U.S. have raised interest rates to combat inflation. INFLATION Everything costs more these days — …

German lawmakers approve a contentious plan to replace fossil-fuel heating
1 year, 3 months ago

German lawmakers approve a contentious plan to replace fossil-fuel heating

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German lawmakers on Friday approved contentious legislation for the replacement of fossil-fuel heating systems, passing a major climate policy plan that prompted lengthy infighting in the governing coalition and helped push down its poll ratings. The junior partners in the coalition led by Scholz’s center-left Social Democratic Party — the environmentalist Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats -- …

Germany hails EU deal on renewable energy raising target for 2030 to 45%
1 year, 6 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 to ease solar rules as new installations surge
1 year, 7 months ago

Germany to ease solar rules as new installations surge

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s energy minister announced plans Friday to ease bureaucratic hurdles for solar power as the country set a new record for photovoltaic installations during the first quarter. Europe’s biggest economy added 2.7 gigawatts of solar power capacity during the first three months of 2023, putting it on course to beat the target of 9 GW this year, compared …

Germany tries to reassure homeowners on heating overhaul
1 year, 8 months ago

Germany tries to reassure homeowners on heating overhaul

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German government sought Wednesday to reassure homeowners that plans to phase out gas or oil heating systems will provide generous transition periods and take into account hardship cases. Almost a third of the energy consumed in Germany goes toward heating and warm water, prompting the government to draft a bill that would require all new heating systems …

Germany ends nuclear era by shutting down last three power plants
1 year, 8 months ago

Germany ends nuclear era by shutting down last three power plants

Firstpost  

Berlin: Reaching its final step in quitting nuclear power, Germany on Saturday pulled the plug on its last three nuclear power stations, ending the country’s nuclear era that began almost six decades ago. Germany’s Federal Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection, Steffi Lemke, told CNN, “The position of the German government is clear: nuclear power is not green. At …

Germany bids farewell to its last nuclear plants, eyes hydrogen future
1 year, 8 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 …

German governing parties agree on energy, climate measures
1 year, 8 months ago

German governing parties agree on energy, climate measures

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s three ruling parties announced Tuesday that they have an agreement on a series of energy and climate policies following weeks of infighting that threatened to paralyze the government. Senior members of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats and two smaller parties, the environmentalist Greens and pro-business Free Democrats, said three days of closed-doors talks had resulted in …

German government sued over failure to meet climate goals
1 year, 11 months ago

German government sued over failure to meet climate goals

Associated Press  

BERLIN — A prominent environmental group said Tuesday that it is suing the German government over the failure to meet its own climate targets. The group, which has more than 450,000 members, argues that time is running out for Germany to meet its national climate goals for 2030 and achieve ‘net zero’ emissions by 2045. A report published earlier this …

German Chancellor Reaffirms Aim to Achieve Climate Neutrality by 2045
1 year, 11 months ago

German Chancellor Reaffirms Aim to Achieve Climate Neutrality by 2045

News 18  

In a special address at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed his country’s goal of attaining climate neutrality, or net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, by 2045. “Our transformation toward a climate-neutral economy – the fundamental task of our century – is currently taking on an entirely new dynamic,” said Scholz, “not in spite of, but …

German leader warns against ‘worldwide renaissance’ for coal
2 years, 2 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, 2 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, 2 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, 2 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 …

In one tiny German town, nobody worries about energy bills
2 years, 2 months ago

In one tiny German town, nobody worries about energy bills

The Hindu  

Europeans are opening their energy bills with trepidation these days, bracing for hefty price hikes as utility companies pass on the surging cost of natural gas, oil and electricity tied to Russia's war in Ukraine. "They’ve got no concerns because the prices are not going to change, not in the immediate future anyway.” Feldheim's hands-on approach to producing its own …

In one tiny German town, nobody worries about energy bills
2 years, 2 months ago

In one tiny German town, nobody worries about energy bills

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. Now, 55 wind turbines can be seen but not …

Germany to keep 2 of its 3 nuclear plants running into April
2 years, 2 months ago

Germany to keep 2 of its 3 nuclear plants running into April

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s government plans to keep two of the country’s three remaining nuclear power plants running until mid-April to help prevent a potential winter energy shortage, the economy and energy minister said Tuesday. The announcement by Economy and Energy Minister Robert Habeck means the government has officially, albeit temporarily, reversed Germany’s long-held plan to shut shut down its nuclear …

Germany sticks to nuclear power deadline but leaves loophole
2 years, 3 months ago

Germany sticks to nuclear power deadline but leaves loophole

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany is sticking to its long-held plan of shutting down the country’s three remaining nuclear power plants this year but keeping the option of reactivating two of them in case of an energy shortage in the coming months, officials said Monday. These include problems with France’s nuclear power plants, drought hampering hydropower generation in the Alps and Norway, …

Scholz: Germany’s increased coal, oil use will be temporary
2 years, 5 months ago

Scholz: Germany’s increased coal, oil use will be temporary

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Germany’s decision to reactivate coal and oil-fired power plants to relieve energy shortages because of the war in Ukraine is only temporary and his government remains committed to doing “everything” to combat the climate crisis. In a video message Saturday, Scholz expressed regret over Germany’s decision to fire up 16 dormant fossil fuel power …

German lawmakers back plan to expand renewable energy
2 years, 5 months ago

German lawmakers back plan to expand renewable energy

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German lawmakers on Thursday approved a major package of reforms aimed at boosting the production of renewable power, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that the country has for too long relied on energy supplies from Russia. “Germany has relied for too long and too unilaterally on energy supplies from Russia,” he said at a renewable energy industry event …

Economists: Current measures won’t meet German energy goals
2 years, 5 months ago

Economists: Current measures won’t meet German energy goals

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany won’t achieve its targets for phasing out fossil fuels and ramping up renewable energy by 2030 with the measures currently in place, according to a think tank report released Wednesday. The respected German Institute for Economic Research, or DIW, examined the goals that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government set itself since coming to power last year following an …

Germany faces natural gas ‘crisis,’ raises warning level
2 years, 6 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, 6 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 …

Bountiful wind, sun boost German renewable power this year
2 years, 8 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 …

Germany turns to renewables after Russian invasion of Ukraine
2 years, 9 months ago

Germany turns to renewables after Russian invasion of Ukraine

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 Germany aims to speed up wind and solar energy projects in a bid to reduce …

Germany faces ‘gigantic’ task meeting energy, climate goals
2 years, 11 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 remaining nuclear plants
2 years, 11 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 …

EU probes Germany’s move to pay for coal plant closures
3 years, 9 months ago

EU probes Germany’s move to pay for coal plant closures

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The European Commission said Tuesday it has opened a probe into whether Germany’s plans to compensate owners for the early shutdown of coal-fired power plants by 2038 is in line with the bloc’s rules on state aid to businesses. Germany agreed last year to pay utility companies 4.35 billion euros to speed up the closure of their coal-fired …

Germany agrees to amend energy law to boost renewables
4 years ago

Germany agrees to amend energy law to boost renewables

Hindustan Times  

Germany’s ruling coalition has agreed changes to a new energy law that aims to boost renewable power and help the country meet its goal of producing 65% of its electricity from green sources by 2030, parliamentary sources told Reuters. The energy law is now expected to go before a parliamentary committee on Tuesday ahead of votes in the lower house …

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