Tick Tock11 Aug 2022 11:46
One has to get slightly excited
EU embargo on Russian coal imports since midnight as Brussels further ramps up sanctions to starve Kremlin of fossil-fuel revenue. Last year Russian coal = 45% EU coal imports. Netherlands, Germany, Poland buy most. But 70% thermal coal, used in power/heat generation, from Russia
Germany to restore 10 gigawatts of mothballed coal capacity to the grid to cushion gas shortage = 5% total German power production — "bitter but necessary" says Green economy minister. Coal imports from US, Australia, South Africa will supply reopened plants.
Some EU countries rushing to reopen coal-fired power plants in response to supply disruption/surging prices.
Netherlands changed law to allow coal plants to run at full capacity until the end of 2023. France, Austria to reopen coal-fired power units before winter.