Germany Returns to Coal as Energy Security Trumps Climate Goals

Germany Returns to Coal as Energy Security Trumps Climate Goals
Wind power stations of German utility RWE, one of Europe's biggest electricity companies, in front of RWE's brown coal fired power plants of Neurath near Jackerath, north-west of Cologne, Germany, on March 18, 2022. Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters
Bryan Jung
Updated:

Germany is returning to coal as it faces its worst energy crisis in decades, even as it officially pursues its climate change goals.

The central European nation is consuming coal at the fastest pace in almost six years, as it becomes one of the few countries to increase imports of the fuel in 2023, reported Bloomberg.

One of the oldest and cheapest sources of energy, coal, has made a comeback after soaring energy costs worldwide, particularly in Europe, which is suffering from an acute economic crisis due to declining relations with Moscow.

A few coal plants were temporarily reactivated in Europe this year because of gas shortages after being closed or mothballed to weather the current energy crisis.
Bryan Jung
Bryan Jung
Author
Bryan S. Jung is a native and resident of New York City with a background in politics and the legal industry. He graduated from Binghamton University.
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