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Germany’s lignite phase-out begins to take shape

Germany has provided more clarity on the phase-out of its lignite power plants by unveiling a timetable for decommissioning, but the level of ambition is falling short of expectations Germany has provided more clarity on the phase-out of its lignite power plants by unveiling a timetable for decommissioning, but the level of ambition is falling short of expectations.
By Andreas Walstad 17 January 2020 Europe & Russia / Policy & Regulation 0 34943
The Datteln 4 coal-fired power plant in North Rhine-Westphalia. (Uniper)

The timetable unveiled by the German government on Tuesday shows that 1.2 GW of Germany’s lignite power capacity is due to be taken offline by end-2021 and a further 1.62 GW by end-2022.

This may seem modest, but it is worth noting that it coincides with the closure of Germany’s last six nuclear reactors – amounting to 8 GW of installed capacity – which will also be taken offline by end-2022. Hard coal plants will also close, but further clarity on the...