Returning to coal. This phrase sounds like a catchphrase, but it is a\nreality currently facing Germany, a key leader within the European\nUnion. Instead of finding ways to mitigate global price surges, German\nChancellor Friedrich Merz is considering a return to utilising coal\nenergy.<\/p>\n
However, within the industrial and energy sectors, this signal from\nBerlin is being viewed as confusing. According to DW, debates regarding\nenergy transition and climate protection have heated up again in\nGermany. On one hand, since 19 May, electric vehicle buyers have been\nable to apply for new government subsidies. On the other hand, the\nfederal cabinet has recently passed controversial legislation regarding\ndomestic heating systems, which reopens the possibility of using oil and\ngas\u2014a move heavily criticised by experts and environmental groups.<\/p>\n
This has sparked a debate over how seriously the Berlin government is\naddressing climate protection and the reduction of greenhouse gas\nemissions. One long-standing plan that has rarely been challenged is the\noriginal schedule to decommission coal-fired power plants by 2038.\nHowever, an exception is being proposed by Chancellor Friedrich\nMerz.<\/p>\n
During a congress organised by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in\nmid-April 2026, Merz stated that Germany might have to maintain\ncoal-fired power plants longer than planned. \u201cWe may have to allow\noperational coal power plants to remain connected to the grid for\nlonger,\u201d Merz said. He added, \u201cI am not prepared to risk the core of our\nenergy supply system just because a phase-out date we set a few years\nago has turned out to be unrealistic.\u201d<\/p>\n
This statement was triggered by surging energy prices following the\noutbreak of conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran\nin early March this year. However, for Martin Kaiser, a climate expert\nfrom the environmental organisation Greenpeace, using rising fuel prices\nas a justification to doubt the coal phase-out plan is a mistake.\n\u201cFriedrich Merz cannot formulate future-oriented policies if he\nmisinterprets the high prices of fossil energy,\u201d Kaiser told DW.\nAccording to him, questioning the national consensus on coal phase-out\nwithout strong justification could threaten Germany\u2019s security and the\nrights of future generations.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/returning-to-coal-1780885201", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }