In light of the gas crisis, the German government intends to increase the use of coal-fired power plants. Parliament and the Council of States had previously approved amendments to the law for this purpose, and those sources indicated that “the order is expected to take effect this week.”

The purpose of encouraging the use of coal-fired power plants is to rationalize the consumption of gas in the production and storage of electricity, and not to use it for this purpose.

It should be noted that the pumping of Russian gas to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline has been stopped since yesterday due to repair work, and there are big fears that Russia will not open the gas valve after repair work, which usually takes a long time. up to ten days.

In particular, the decree, according to these sources, concerns coal-fired power plants, which were to be banned in 2022 and 2023 as part of the phase-out of coal. This ban has now been lifted.

In addition, coal plants and oil product plants already in reserve will be used. According to the resolution, operators will have to ensure that the stations are brought into a technical condition that allows them to ensure permanent operation on the electricity market. The cost of this will be reimbursed. The decree also requires operators to keep a certain amount of fuel in stock.