German govt issues order for use of coal-fired power plants

The German government has approved the use of more coal-fired power plants in light of the halt of gas imports from Russia, reported dpa.

A corresponding order was approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday. The Bundestag and Bundesrat houses of parliament have already passed legal amendments to this effect.

The aim is to store more gas by increasing the use of coal-fired power plants to generate electricity.

"We want to save gas in the summer to fill our storage facilities for the winter," Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

Gas has not been delivered through the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline since Monday due to maintenance. The big concern is that Russia will not turn on the gas tap again after the maintenance, which usually takes up to 10 days.

According to the ordinance, operators must ensure that plants are technically restored to a condition that allows them to operate permanently on the electricity market. The costs incurred will be reimbursed.

The urgent goal of completing the coal phase-out in Germany by 2030 remains unaffected by the temporary measure, the ministry said.