A CHANGE OF COURSE IN ENERGY POLICY IS OVERDUE

• Allow CCU/CCS for modern hard coal-fired power plants too
• CCU/CCS conversion more cost-effective than new construction
• Use reserve hard coal-fired power plants to reduce electricity prices
• Global market for hard coal stable and unaffected by geopolitical events

The Coal Importers' Association VDKi is calling on the new German government to allow the introduction of CO2-capture units (CCU/CCS) for the modern and newer hard coal-fired power plants in Wilhelmshaven, the Ruhr region (Duisburg, Datteln, Lünen) and in the south-west (Mannheim, Karlsruhe). The coalition agreement provides for the introduction of CCU/CCS technology for the industrial sector and for the new gas-fired power plants to be built. The VDKi is also calling for this option for hard coal-fired power plants, which essentially run in energy transition back-up mode.

From the VDKi's point of view, retrofitting modern hard coal-fired power plants with CCU/CCS technology is far more cost-effective than building new gas-fired power plants. The possible use of green ammonia in hard coal-fired power plants to reduce CO2 should also be taken into account. This reduces the costs of the energy transition.

In addition, hard coal is no more harmful to the climate than other fossil fuels used for power generation if the entire supply chain is considered.

The VDKi supports the new German government in its plans to utilise the hard coal-fired power plants with a capacity of 6.9 GW that are currently in reserve operation to curb electricity prices. Last winter showed that when dark doldrums occur, the capacity of the secured output is not sufficient to keep the listed electricity prices at a tolerable level for the industrial sector. VDKi CEO Alexander Bethe: "Utilising the reserve power plants in these phases is the right thing to do. This leads to a red...

The VDKi is also calling for a change of course in energy policy. The new Minister for Economic Affairs, Katherina Reiche, has announced a "pragmatic energy policy". Quote: "I am personally in favour of a realistic, innovation-driven and reliable course with clear goals". The VDKi strongly supports this.

For the VDKi, one thing is certain: energy must remain affordable for citizens, otherwise acceptance of the energy transition will be lost.

Controllable energy is needed for stable security of supply. This is why the new fleet of hard coal-fired power plants in particular should continue to be used in back-up operation. The plants do not contradict the political goal of phasing out coal. This is because these power plants hardly have any impact on the CO2 balance sheet if they run for short periods of time.

VDKi CEO Alexander Bethe: "Without the back-up of hard coal-fired power plants, there will be no energy security in the medium term."

In view of the crises in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, the VDKi is once again drawing attention to the security of supply aspect of coal imports. Due to its widespread availability in various regions of the world, coal is not affected by geopolitical developments.

Berlin, 24 June 2025
V.i.S.d.P: Coal Importers' Association e. V., Jürgen Osterhage, Managing Director