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Mibrag boss does not see early coal phase-out coming

The head of lignite producer Mibrag, Armin Eichholz, currently sees little chance of an early coal phase-out in the east. "Our planning basis is still 2034/2035," Eichholz told the German Press Agency. Although he cannot rule out a ban on coal-fired power generation as early as 2030, he "does...

Armin Eichholz, CEO of Mibrag GmbH, sits in one of the company's conference rooms. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de
Armin Eichholz, CEO of Mibrag GmbH, sits in one of the company's conference rooms. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de

Energy - Mibrag boss does not see early coal phase-out coming

The head of lignite producer Mibrag, Armin Eichholz, currently sees little chance of an early coal phase-out in the east. "Our planning basis is still 2034/2035," Eichholz told the German Press Agency. Although he cannot rule out a ban on coal-fired power generation as early as 2030, he "does not see it happening at the moment".

Mibrag operates the Vereinigtes Schleenhain and Profen opencast mines in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. The coal is converted into electricity in the Schkopau and Lippendorf power plants, which are due to be taken off the grid in 2034/2035. The coalition government of the SPD, Greens and FDP had agreed to ideally bring forward the coal phase-out in the east from 2038 to 2030. The Minister Presidents of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg are opposed to this.

The accelerated expansion of renewable energies is already putting economic pressure on coal-fired power generation, said Eichholz. At the same time, however, the question is what the supply will look like in the future when there are lulls and little sunshine. There are plans to build around 40 gas-fired power plant units by 2030, but it is questionable whether this can be achieved.

"In times of a short supply of renewable energies, it will be necessary to keep power plants running. In my view, the issue of nuclear energy is over. And if the gas-fired power plants don't come on time, then it can only be coal," said Eichholz. But whether this is still worthwhile for the power plant operators is also a big question.

Read also:

  1. Despite the opposition from the Minister Presidents of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Brandenburg, the coalition government has aimed to bring forward the coal phase-out in the east from 2038 to 2030.
  2. The accelerated expansion of renewable energies in Leipzig and other regions is putting economic pressure on coal-fired power plants in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, like those operated by Mibrag.
  3. The German Press Agency reported that Armin Eichholz, the head of Mibrag, sees little chance of an early coal phase-out in the east and believes that there might be a need for coal-fired power plants, especially during times of a short supply of renewable energies.

Source: www.stern.de

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