German Deputy Chancellor announces return to coal – Growing with that?

Essay by Eric Worrall

Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister of Germany Robert Habeck (Green Party): “It is bitter, but simply in this situation, it is necessary to reduce the use of gas”

Germany burns coal plants as Russia cuts gas

As Russia reduces its supply of natural gas, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Germany must limit its use of gas. Otherwise, things “can get cramped in the winter,” he said.

Germany must limit the use of gas to generate electricity and prioritize filling up storage to compensate supply from Russia decreasedEconomy Secretary Robert Habeck said on Sunday.

In a move that goes against its eco-friendly Green Party principles, the country will also have to increase coal burning, Habeck said.

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“To reduce gas consumption, less gas must be used to generate electricity. Instead, coal-fired power plants will have to be used more,” said the Ministry of Economy.

Habeck also said that more gas must be pumped into the storage tanks. “Otherwise, it will be very tight in the winter,” he said. Currently, gas storage facilities in Germany are about 57% full.

Habeck laments the need to use more coal to generate electricity, but describes the current situation as dire.

“It’s bittersweet, but what is needed in this situation is to reduce gas usage,” he said. The coalition government has set a goal of making German energy production coal-free by 2030.

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Read more: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-fire-up-coal-plants-as-russia-turns-down-the-gas/a-62182321

Habeck very much like a dark green, in April, he passed legislation to raise Germany’s energy target to 80% renewable energy. He is also an opponent of nuclear energy.

Will Habeck jump back on coals to save his skin, from the public backlash if people lose heating this winter? Or because he puts Germany first, above his green principles? Whatever the explanation, and despite my doubts about Habeck’s record, I see Habeck’s decision to support coal as a step forward, a small step towards a return to sanity. An example that other Western plants can learn from.