Young modern hard coal-fired power plants guarantee secure power plant capacity and power generation to support the expansion of renewable energy sources

Young modern hard coal-fired power plants guarantee secure power plant capacity and power generation to support the expansion of renewable energy sources

Young modern hard coal-fired power plants face losses in the billions due to the Coal Electricity Generation Completion Act (KVBG)

An unbiased evaluation of the KVBG is required, which will integrate young hard coal-fired power plants into the flanking measures for the further expansion of renewable energy sources

 

The coal exit has been decided. The Coal Electricity Generation Completion Act (KVBG) was intended to settle a social conflict and ensure planning security for all parties involved. The law does not fully meet this requirement. Operators of young modern hard coal-fired power plants in particular do not currently know whether losses amounting to billions can be avoided.

The generation of electricity from hard coal has become a stopgap measure, and hard coal-fired power plants are still insufficiently or possibly not at all compensated for this. Even recent amendments to the law have not fundamentally changed this situation. Young hard coal-fired power plants are not protected. The evaluation provided for in the KVBG is therefore of crucial importance.

The expansion of renewable energy sources needs to be flanked by secure power plant capacity and power generation during dark doldrums. Young modern hard coal-fired power plants are already available today. It is uncertain whether the market will bring the necessary number of new gas-fired power plants and whether companies can still rely on the protection of their investments.

Even if the conversion of hard coal-fired power plants to other fuels is not in the interest of many members of the VDKi, we do understand that municipal power plants in particular are being converted to natural gas in combined heat and power generation. However, solid biomass must also be given a fair chance within the framework of a support programme for greenhouse gas-neutral generation and use of heat. This is because hard coal-fired power plant locations with suitable ports are predestined for this.

The VDKi trusts in an unbiased evaluation of the KVBG, which integrates young hard coal-fired power plants into the flanking measures for the further expansion of renewable energy sources.

 

Berlin, 17 July 2020

Responsible pursuant to the German Press Act: Verein der Kohlenimporteure e. V., Dr Franz-Josef Wodopia, Managing Director