Coal mining state premier says Germany will exit coal in 2030s

Germany’s coal commission will agree on a phase-out within around 20 years, according to Armin Laschet, premier of the western coal mining state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). “The coal exit will take place in the 2030s,” Laschet told business leaders, according to a report by Antje Höning for the regional newspaper Rheinische Post. He added the exit date must not be chosen randomly. Instead, it is important to make sure that energy-intensive businesses can be supplied with affordable and reliable power. RWE currently plans to mine lignite until 2045, according to the report. 
Germany’s coal commission is scheduled to table its proposal for the country’s coal exit path, including a phase-out date, on 1 February. On 15 January, Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet state premiers and the commission’s leaders to ensure the deadline can be met.