Germany may extend coal use to replace Russian gas

Germany could extend its use of coal as the country rethinks its energy plans in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to Economy Minister Robert Habeck. The former co-leader of the Green party said coal plants could run for longer and even said he wasn’t “ideologically opposed” to extending the use of nuclear energy. Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Sunday plans to build two new liquefied natural gas terminals to expand Germany’s energy choices and reduce its reliance on Russia. The government wants to reach a point where it can “pick and choose which countries we want to build energy partnerships with,” Habeck said in an interview late on Sunday on ARD television. “Being able to choose also means, in case of doubt, that you can become independent from Russian gas, coal or oil.” While Germany can manage without Russian gas for the coming months, the country would have to expand its purchasing strategy significantly for next winter, he said. Extending the use of coal beyond 2030 might entail risks, and in the long term, there’s no alternative to renewable power in terms of energy security, Habeck said. “Running for longer means a longer dependence on coal, possibly also from Russia. Or we get it somewhere else,” he said. “But it’s another form of dependence.” Nuclear is unlikely to be a short-term fix, since the country’s last three reactors are already in the process of being wound down. “The preparations for shutting down are at such an advanced stage that the atomic power plants could only be operated for longer under the highest security concerns and possibly with fuel supply that hasn’t yet been secured,” Habeck said. “That’s certainly not something we’d want.”