Germany to bring coal-fired power plants back online this winter

BERLIN, Oct 5 (Reuters): Germany's cabinet on Wednesday approved putting on-reserve lignite-fired power plants back online from October until the end of March 2024, the economy ministry said, as a step to replace scarce natural gas this winter and avoid shortages.

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a sudden drop in Russian gas imports to Germany, Berlin reactivated coal-fired power plants and extended their lifespans, with a total output of 1.9 gigawatt hours generated last winter.

Despite gas bottlenecks easing since last winter, coal-fired power plants will be reactivated and the government will make proposals by summer next year on how to offset increased carbon dioxide these plants will generate this winter.