Business · Energy & Commodities · 1 day ago
Experts warn NRW coal exit could threaten power supply
North Rhine-Westphalia plans to end brown-coal power in 2030, bringing forward a target that had been 2038.
The decision was made in 2022 by the state government, the federal government under then-economy minister Robert Habeck, and energy company RWE.
Energy economists warn that the shift could leave the state short of electricity and push prices higher if replacement plants are not ready in time.
NRW has been awarded 2.1 gigawatts of gas power capacity in the first auction, but the plants are due to be operating by 2031, after the planned coal exit.
Experts say the winters of 2031 and 2032 could be especially difficult under current plans.
A second auction is expected in 2027, and federal Economy Minister Katherina Reiche plans to assess the effect on supply security afterward.
That review could shape whether the 2030 coal-exit timetable changes; NRW’s economy minister expects it in spring or early summer, after the state election in April.
Energy experts warn that ending lignite power generation in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2030 could put electricity supply at risk.
They say new gas power plants may not be ready in time to replace the coal capacity, raising the prospect of shortages and higher prices.
The first tender awarded North Rhine-Westphalia 2.1 gigawatts of gas power capacity, but the plants are due to enter service by 2031.
Experts say the winters of 2031 and 2032 could be especially difficult for the state.
The federal government plans to assess the effects on supply security after a second tender.
- Who
- Energy economists Manuel Frondel and Andreas Löschel warn of possible supply problems in North Rhine-Westphalia.
- What
- The planned 2030 end to lignite power generation could leave the state short of electricity before new gas plants are ready.
- When
- The coal exit is planned for 2030; experts highlight the winters of 2031 and 2032.
- Where
- North Rhine-Westphalia, especially the Rhenish mining area.
- Why
- Gas power plants may not enter service until after the planned coal exit, potentially leaving a gap in generating capacity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The federal government, North Rhine-Westphalia’s state government and RWE agreed to bring the lignite exit forward from 2038 to 2030.
North Rhine-Westphalia was awarded 2.1 gigawatts of capacity, with the plants due to enter service by 2031.
A second tender for gas power plants is due to take place.
Federal Economy Minister Katherina Reiche is expected to publish an assessment of the effects on supply security.
- Planned lignite exit
- 2030, brought forward from 2038
- First tender award to NRW
- 2.1 gigawatts
- Share of total awarded capacity
- 41 percent
- Expected gas-plant start
- By 2031
- Experts’ concern
- Winters of 2031 and 2032
- Second tender
- 2027
2 sources
What people are saying
The exit cannot work, in my view, if we do not want to risk energy security suffering and electricity prices continuing to rise.
On the current evidence, North Rhine-Westphalia will face problems in these two winters.
The prestige project of an early coal exit