Coal plant: “Engie scrutinises further investments”

French multinational utility Engie reviews its investments in one of the world’s most modern coal-fired power plants in the northern German town of Wilhelmshaven, Gerd Abeldt writes in Nordwest-Zeitung. “Today, nobody would build a coal plant anymore,” Jeroen Schaafsma, director of the plant constructed in 2008, told the newspaper. The plant in Wilhelmshaven was projected to be allowed to run at full capacity on so-called “Dunkelflaute” days - during which renewables fail to deliver sufficient amounts of electricity due to little wind and sunlight - but the priority grid access of wind and PV power put its cost effectiveness into question, Abeldt explains. Asked whether the plant was ever going to provide electricity at a profit, Schaafsma replied: “We will know in 30 years.”

For background, read the CLEW factsheet How can Germany keep the lights on in a renewable energy future?