German lignite power plant operators’ suffer losses – analysis

Low wholesale power prices and higher prices for CO₂ emission allowances are weighing on Germany's lignite plant operators’ balance sheets, according to an evaluation of the energy information service Tagesspiegel Background, Der Tagesspiegel reports. A database from Aurora Energy Research formed the basis of the analysis. Total losses suffered by all lignite power plant operators surpassed 2 billion euros from the beginning of 2016 to July 2018, the article says. However, Germany’s largest lignite-fired power plant operator, Essen-based RWE, denied losing money on its facilities, according to the article. Other operators declined to comment.

For background, read the factsheet Understanding the European Union’s Emissions Trading System and the article Wrangling over German coal exit talks reveals difficult task ahead.