By Andrea Thomas
BERLIN (Dow Jones) — Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) defended the planned longer term of two Rhenish lignite-fired power plants until the end of March 2024 with reference to a coal phase-out that would be brought forward later. In the debate on the first reading of the law on the early coal phase-out in North Rhine-Westphalia, Habeck said that the current situation made this step necessary. At the same time, he referred to the economic opportunity of the energy transition for the German economy. It could make German engineering and export products attractive worldwide and create jobs.
Due to the discontinued Russian gas deliveries, a longer service life for some coal-fired power plants is initially necessary and, in return, an earlier regional coal phase-out. We “are creating both: Security of supply now in times of need and at the same time a clear step towards the horizon in the perspective that we need,” said Habeck with a view to the necessary reduction in greenhouse gases.
According to the draft law, the end of coal-fired power generation in North Rhine-Westphalia is to be brought forward by eight years to the end of March 2030. For the other coal-fired power plants in Germany, the phase-out of coal will remain until 2038 at the latest.
At the same time, Habeck emphasized that the energy transition offered an opportunity for the German economy.
Connections to gas and hydrogen networks are needed for the expansion of renewable energies. You also need power plants that are “ready” for gas and hydrogen and can then also produce them.
Therefore, the energy transition is also associated with an industrial project, because such power plants still have to be developed and built. “This connects jobs. This connects a large-volume order for German engineering,” said Habeck.
Energy Security Act to enable expropriations
With regard to the energy networks, Habeck emphasizes that the Energy Security Act must be adapted to the current situation in order to enable the expansion of gas and hydrogen lines. This also includes the draft law on the amended Energy Security Act (EnSiG), which was debated for the first time in the Bundestag. This provides for possible expropriation of movable property under strict conditions.
Habeck explained that this included data that had to be made available for energy security in Germany. He also mentioned the possible expropriation of gas pipes or connecting pipelines that still exist from the destroyed Nord Stream Pipeline 2 and that are now needed to connect alternative capacities from the Baltic Sea.
Habeck was referring to the new floating terminals for landing liquid gas, which still have to be connected to the existing gas pipeline network in Germany.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 11, 2022 09:51 ET (14:51 GMT)