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 2 and Neckarwestheim 2 — should be able to keep operating beyond the scheduled shutdown on Dec. 31 to ease possible power shortages over the winter. Experts say the nuclear power plants are mainly needed to maintain grid stability at times of high electricity demand — including from neighboring France, whose own nuclear reactors have faced a series of problems this year. In addition to temporarily extending the lifetime of Germany’s nuclear plants, Scholz said his Social Democrat-led government will propose “ambitious” legislation to increase energy efficiency, enshrining in law a plan to end coal use in western Germany by 2030 and building new power plants that can burn hydrogen.

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History of this topic

Germany corrects Trump on energy policy: 'PS — we also don't eat cats and dogs'
3 months, 1 week ago

Germany corrects Trump on energy policy: 'PS — we also don't eat cats and dogs'

Raw Story  

The German foreign ministry on Wednesday issued a rejoinder to Republican nominee Donald Trump's debate claim that Germany had reverted back to a "normal" energy policy after, as he implied, failing to transition away from fossil fuels. Near the end of the televised presidential debate, Trump addressed Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, saying: "You believe in things that …

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 …

Germany, once the envy of the world, is now its worst-performing major developed economy. Why?
1 year, 3 months ago

Germany, once the envy of the world, is now its worst-performing major developed economy. Why?

LA Times  

Evonik Industries, a specialty chemicals company based in Essen, Germany, operates this plant in the nearby town of Marl. Germany risks “de-industrialization” as high energy costs and government inaction on other chronic problems threaten to send new factories and high-paying jobs elsewhere, said Christian Kullmann, the CEO of major German chemical company Evonik Industries. “We’re in a situation where we’re …

Germany went from envy of the world to the worst-performing major developed economy. What happened?
1 year, 3 months ago

Germany went from envy of the world to the worst-performing major developed economy. What happened?

Associated Press  

ESSEN, Germany — For most of this century, Germany racked up one economic success after another, dominating global markets for high-end products like luxury cars and industrial machinery, selling so much to the rest of the world that half the economy ran on exports. Germany risks “deindustrialization” as high energy costs and government inaction on other chronic problems threaten to …

Once a global ideal, Germany's economy struggles with an energy shock that's exposing longtime flaws
1 year, 3 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 …

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 shut down final nuclear reactors. What's behind atomic energy exit
1 year, 8 months ago

Germany to shut down final nuclear reactors. What's behind atomic energy exit

Hindustan Times  

Germany has begun the closure of its remaining three nuclear reactors, despite the fact that several nations are experiencing atomic energy resurgences as a green energy source and the country itself is experiencing energy shortages as a result of natural gas supply disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. The last three nuclear plants were contributing 6% of Germany power requirement …

Over and out: Germany switches off its last nuclear plants
1 year, 8 months ago

Over and out: Germany switches off its last nuclear plants

Associated Press  

BERLIN — “Nuclear power, no thanks!” What was once a slogan found on the bumper of many a German car became a reality Saturday, as the country shut down its three remaining nuclear power plants in line with a long-planned transition toward renewable energy. As energy prices spiked last year due to the war in Ukraine, some members of German …

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 Shuts Down Its Last Nuclear Power Reactors
1 year, 8 months ago

Germany Shuts Down Its Last Nuclear Power Reactors

Huff Post  

Steam rises from the RWE nuclear power plant Emsland in Lingen, Germany, on Friday. “These three nuclear reactors in Germany produce more electricity than all Danish windmills and solar panels combined,” Sollid, who advocates for nuclear energy in Denmark, said by phone. Associated Press But the Fukushima disaster showed that “even in a high-tech country like Japan, the risks associated …

Germany shuts all of its nuclear plants – and is warned it will regret it
1 year, 8 months ago

Germany shuts all of its nuclear plants – and is warned it will regret it

The Telegraph  

Germany became only the third European country to shut off its nuclear power supply on Saturday when its final three reactors were severed from the grid for good. The end of German nuclear energy, a process begun by former chancellor Angela Merkel after the Fukushima disaster in 2011, came at the same time as the country seeks to wean itself …

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 …

Scholz says labor, climate challenges loom for Germany
1 year, 9 months ago

Scholz says labor, climate challenges loom for Germany

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Monday that his country faces considerable challenges, but also opportunities, in the coming years as it seeks to transform toward a green economy with a shrinking workforce. Scholz, a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party, said that due to demand for workers “Germany will leave the problem of joblessness behind in the …

German energy boss warns: Don’t let guard down on gas supply
1 year, 10 months ago

German energy boss warns: Don’t let guard down on gas supply

Associated Press  

BONN, Germany — The temperature outside Klaus Mueller’s office almost resembles spring, exactly the kind of mild weather that helped Germany get through the winter without Russian natural gas. Mueller would only concede that he’s “optimistic” this winter will end without a further gas crunch, especially after Germany cut gas use by 14% in 2022 through lowering thermostats, switching to …

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 regulator: winter gas shortage increasingly unlikely
1 year, 11 months ago

German regulator: winter gas shortage increasingly unlikely

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s network regulator said Thursday that a gas shortage is “increasingly unlikely” this winter, but cautioned that it remains important to use the fuel sparingly. The Federal Network Agency said in its daily report that it views the situation as “less tight than at the beginning of the winter.” It had described the situation as “tight” since Russia …

German leader focuses on energy, Ukraine in new year message
1 year, 11 months ago

German leader focuses on energy, Ukraine in new year message

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Chancellor Olaf Scholz is celebrating Germany’s progress in freeing itself from reliance on Russian gas, urging people to keep saving energy in the new year and vowing to keep up help for Ukraine. Scholz’s televised new year message, the text of which was released by his office before its broadcast Saturday, focused squarely on the effects of Russia’s …

Which European nations are handling the energy crisis best?
2 years ago

Which European nations are handling the energy crisis best?

Al Jazeera  

France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Greece are doing some things right, but face challenging times ahead, say experts. An uneven risk Russia accounted for nearly half of Europe’s total natural gas imports in 2021, but some countries were always going to be more vulnerable than others. Challenges ahead Germany recently announced a new 200 billion euro package to deal with …

German lawmakers OK delay in switching off nuclear plants
2 years, 1 month ago

German lawmakers OK delay in switching off nuclear plants

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German lawmakers have approved a plan to keep the country’s three remaining nuclear power plants until mid-April, extending their life beyond the originally planned shut-off at the end of this year. Economy Minister Robert Habeck and his environmentalist Greens had argued that only two nuclear plants in southern Germany — Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim 2 — should be …

Germany's Scholz warns against fossil fuel 'renaissance'
2 years, 1 month 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, 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 …

Green leaders back German nuke extension, activists angry
2 years, 2 months ago

Green leaders back German nuke extension, activists angry

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Senior members of Germany’s environmentalist Green party indicated Tuesday that they would accept Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision to extend the lifetime of the country’s three remaining nuclear plants for a few months to head off possible a winter energy crunch. “On April 15, it’s over for nuclear power plants in Germany,” he told reporters in Berlin. “That means …

EXPLAINER: Why Germany is delaying its nuclear shutdown
2 years, 2 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why Germany is delaying its nuclear shutdown

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has ordered preparations for all of the country’s three remaining nuclear reactors to continue operating until mid-April. FIRST SHUTDOWN PLAN A center-left government of Social Democrats and Greens passed a law in 2002 that Germany would build no new nuclear power plants and shut down all existing reactors over the coming decades. SECOND THOUGHTS …

Scholz overrides allies, keeps 3 German nuke plants running
2 years, 2 months ago

Scholz overrides allies, keeps 3 German nuke plants running

Associated Press  

BERLIN — 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 …

Germany’s Merkel defends decision to get Russian natural gas
2 years, 2 months ago

Germany’s Merkel defends decision to get Russian natural gas

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday defended her government’s decisions to buy large quantities of natural gas from Russia, which was her country’s primary gas supplier when she left office. Merkel said that “from the perspective of that time, it was very rational and understandable to get pipeline gas, including from Russia, that was cheaper than LNG …

EXPLAINER: Power cuts raise risk at Ukraine nuclear plant
2 years, 2 months ago

EXPLAINER: Power cuts raise risk at Ukraine nuclear plant

Associated Press  

BERLIN — A Ukrainian nuclear power plant that has been surrounded by Russian forces lost power Wednesday morning when a Russian missile damaged a distant electrical substation, increasing the risk of radiation disaster, according to the plant’s operator. In the event of a disaster, the biggest risk outside Ukraine could be to Russia, “depending on which way the wind blows,” …

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 …

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 …

Scholz: Germany well-placed on energy to get through winter
2 years, 3 months ago

Scholz: Germany well-placed on energy to get through winter

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany is well-placed to get through this winter with enough energy thanks to efforts to shore up supplies in the face of Russian gas delivery cuts, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday, dismissing criticism from the opposition. Center-right opposition leader Friedrich Merz charged in parliament that Scholz’s three-party coalition lacks any “strategic thinking” and assailed a decision this week …

Operator doubts German plan to keep nuclear plants on standby
2 years, 3 months ago

Operator doubts German plan to keep nuclear plants on standby

Al Jazeera  

Germany plans to delay closure of two nuclear power plants amid disruption to Russian gas deliveries to Europe. Germany’s plans to delay the closure of two nuclear plants were thrown into confusion on Wednesday, with the operator of one saying the request to keep it on standby was not technically possible as the government said it had been misunderstood. “We …

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, …

Germany exports power to France, urges savings at home
2 years, 4 months ago

Germany exports power to France, urges savings at home

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany will keep exporting electricity to neighboring France despite calling on people to help fend off winter shortages by saving energy at home, officials said Wednesday. “Only half of France’s nuclear power plants are operating,” said Patrick Graichen, Germany’s deputy economy and energy minister. Both natural gas and electricity prices have hit record highs, with power costs ballooning …

Germany to keep last three nuclear-power plants running in policy U-turn
2 years, 4 months ago

Germany to keep last three nuclear-power plants running in policy U-turn

Live Mint  

BERLIN : Germany plans to postpone the closure of the country’s last three nuclear power plants as it braces for a possible shortage of energy this winter after Russia throttled gas supplies to the country, said German government officials. Still, while a formal decision could be weeks off, the government believes two key conditions allowing a temporary extension of the …

Germany U-turns on nuclear in scramble to avert winter crisis
2 years, 4 months ago

Germany U-turns on nuclear in scramble to avert winter crisis

The Telegraph  

Germany plans to keep its remaining nuclear power plants open for longer in a major U-turn as it scrambles to keep the lights on this winter with less Russian gas. Officials have concluded the plants are needed due to gas shortages and they can be kept open without safety concerns, the Wall Street Journal reported. It came as Norway warned …

Germans urged to cap heat in offices this winter to save gas
2 years, 4 months ago

Germans urged to cap heat in offices this winter to save gas

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German businesses and public institutions should heat their offices no higher than 19 degrees Celsius this winter to help reduce the country’s consumption of natural gas, Germany’s economy minister said Saturday. Germany, the European Union’s biggest economy, is quickly trying to wean itself off using natural gas from Russia in response to Moscow’s attack on Ukraine. Russia has …

Germany argues over nuclear shutdown amid gas supply worries
54 years, 11 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 …

Russia Ukraine war: Germany argues over nuclear shutdown amid gas supply worries
2 years, 4 months ago

Russia Ukraine war: Germany argues over nuclear shutdown amid gas supply worries

India TV News  

Russia Ukraine war: Rising concern over the impact of a potential Russian gas cutoff is fuelling 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 …

German government agrees on bailout for energy supplier
2 years, 5 months ago

German government agrees on bailout for energy supplier

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German government will take a roughly 30% stake in energy supplier Uniper as part of a rescue package prompted by surging prices for natural gas and reduced Russian deliveries, the company and Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday. That is a very, very big chunk, so it’s clear you can imagine that there would have been practically no …

Key Russia-Europe gas pipeline reopens but outlook unclear
2 years, 5 months ago

Key Russia-Europe gas pipeline reopens but outlook unclear

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Natural gas started flowing through a major pipeline from Russia to Europe on Thursday after a 10-day shutdown for maintenance — but the gas flow remained well short of full capacity and the outlook was uncertain, which leaves Europe still facing the prospect of a hard winter. “We must save more to get through the next two winters …

Gas starts flowing from Russia to Europe again after break, but shutoff fears remain
2 years, 5 months ago

Gas starts flowing from Russia to Europe again after break, but shutoff fears remain

LA Times  

Gas has started flowing again to Europe from Russia after a maintenance shutdown, despite fears that Moscow would cut off supplies. But the gas deliveries that were arriving still weren’t enough to resolve Europe’s energy crisis, and officials suspect that Russia is likely to disrupt supplies further. “We must save more to get through the next two winters well.” Russia’s …

Economics of war: Pain for Europe now, later for Russia
2 years, 5 months ago

Economics of war: Pain for Europe now, later for Russia

Associated Press  

Across Europe, signs of distress are multiplying as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on. Meanwhile, high energy costs fueled by the war are benefiting Russia, a major oil and natural gas exporter whose agile central bank and years of experience living with sanctions have stabilized the ruble and inflation despite economic isolation. Molkerei Berchtesgadener Land, a large dairy cooperative in …

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 official: Nuclear would do little to solve gas issue
2 years, 5 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 …

Gas pipeline shutdown starts amid German suspicion of Russia
2 years, 5 months ago

Gas pipeline shutdown starts amid German suspicion of Russia

Associated Press  

BERLIN — A major natural gas pipeline from Russia to western Europe shut down Monday for annual maintenance as Germany prepared to give the green light for 10 coal-fired power plants to restart because of concerns that Russia may not resume the flow of gas as scheduled. German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has said he suspects that Russia may cite …

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 …

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 …

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