Germany reignites coal power amid renewable energy shortfall
German media reports that all available coal power stations in the country have been activated. The decision was made due to a sharp decline in energy production from renewable sources. Cloudy weather and dense fog have significantly reduced the output of wind and solar installations.
According to German press reports, unfavourable weather conditions have led to a serious deficit in renewable energy production. This situation necessitated an immediate response from energy system operators.
Germany initiates emergency measures
The German energy company Lausitz Energie Mining AG (Leag) announced that to ensure supply security, we have activated all available coal units. The power plants have been restored to full operational capacity to guarantee stable energy supplies during increased demand.
The media highlights that the decision to reactivate coal power plants contradicts Germany's long-term energy policy. German sources report that the situation in the electricity market has become so tense that reserving generating capacities was necessary.
Controversies surrounding the decision
The activation of all coal blocks has sparked discussion about the stability of the German energy system. Industry experts emphasise maintaining conventional energy sources as a safeguard in crises.
Lausitzer Rundschau, in its publication, emphasises that power plants are currently operating at full capacity. The media quotes Leag's statement: "All available generating capacities have been activated to ensure the country's energy security."
Sharp increase in energy prices in Germany during the crisis
The shortage of renewable energy in Germany has led to the activation of coal power plants and significant increases in electricity prices. This situation negatively affects both households and industry.
According to German media, energy prices on the exchange have increased tenfold, reaching a record level of one thousand euros per megawatt-hour. Experts indicate that such a drastic rise directly results from the unavailability of renewable energy sources.
Systemic problems
Energy market analysts emphasise that the current situation is not a one-time event. Media reports that periods of significant decline in solar and wind production are becoming an increasingly frequent problem for the German energy grid. Outages in energy production during short winter days are particularly troublesome.
Thomas Lehmann, a spokesperson for Leag, states in his remarks that activating all available coal capacities was necessary to maintain the stability of the energy network. The expert stresses that power plants operate at maximum capacity to meet the demand created by renewable energy source outages.
Challenges for energy transition
The current crisis has sparked a lively debate on Germany's climate goals. Environmental organisations criticise the dependency on fossil fuels and call for a faster expansion of energy storage systems and flexible reserve units.
German media highlights that the current situation underscores the necessity of backup solutions for renewable energy production outages. Experts point to the need to develop new technologies and better network planning to avoid similar crises in the future.
