German
operators of coal and gas power plants are sounding the alarm: the operation of
many power plants is no longer profitable as a result of the green energy
transition. Dozens of plants could be closed down, the industry warns. Of
approximately 90,000 megawatts of conventional power capacity in Germany up to
20 percent could be shut down, the newspaper quoted the CEO of a utility. In the
worst case scenario, Germany would face blackouts. So far, the Federal Network
Agency has received 15 applications to close down power plants, the
Süddeutsche Zeitung reports. E.ON, the largest energy company in
Germany, has decided to close down eleven power plants in Europe by 2015. Its
competitor RWE announced similar shut down plans. --Reuters, 16 July 2013
Germany is facing legal action by the European Commission for discriminating in favour of its own energy companies in breach of competition law. The European Union’s energy tsar, Günther Oettinger, said it is unacceptable that German wind-power companies draw on state subsidies for renewable energy, while rival companies from Denmark and other European countries are shut out. German news weekly Der Spiegel said Brussels is expected to launch a formal infringement case on Wednesday, and will probably demand that beneficiaries of illegal aid pay back sums already received. --Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, The Daily Telegraph, 15 July 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday she would fight in Brussels for a disputed clause within Germany's renewable energy law that exempts energy-intensive industries from charges which other consumers must pay. European Union regulators said on Monday they are looking into a complaint about the law by a German association representing private consumers and small- and medium-sized companies, but will only decide after August whether to open an investigation. Merkel made her remarks during a visit to German chemicals company Bayer. --Reuters, 16 July 2013
Germany plans to build 60,000 new wind turbines -- in forests, in the foothills of the Alps and even in protected environmental areas. But local residents are up in arms, costs are skyrocketing and Germany's determination to phase out nuclear power is in danger. The question is: How many forests must be sacrificed, how many horizons dotted with wind turbines, to meet Germany's new energy targets? --Matthias Schulz, Spiegel Online, 12 July 2013
The pain in Spain cannot be sustained. That’s the conclusion of the Spanish government, which is slashing its subsidies for wind power and other renewable energy. What we’re seeing in Spain is part of a cycle that has long dogged alternative energy. When oil prices rise, there’s a flow of money into alternatives, but at some point, taxpayers tire of underwriting businesses that aren’t self-sufficient. Having taken a step forward on renewables, Europe now taking a step back. --Loren Steffy, Forbes, 15 July 2013
Poland’s shale gas business is facing a serious challenge after the EU’s highest court ruled that Warsaw violated European law by allowing licences to be issued for the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons, without fully open tenders. Friends of the Earth hailed the ruling as “a massive setback” for Poland’s shale gas industry, which would delay the roll-out of new drills and allow more time for the European Commission to draw up environmental legislation. But officials in Brussels and Warsaw have stayed tight-lipped on the issue, which is acutely sensitive, partly due to Poland’s hard-line stance against EU climate policies. --EurActiv, 15 July 2013
Winds of change are blowing through Reuters’ environmental coverage. A perceptible shift in Reuters’ approach to the global climate change story has attracted international attention. Scientists and climatologists as well as non-governmental and international environment bodies have detected a move from the agency’s straight coverage towards scepticism on the view held by a vast majority of scientists that climate change is the result of human pollution of the atmosphere and environment. They see generally fewer stories on the issue. Some say they have been taken aback by Reuters’ new direction and are concerned that this could contribute to a change in government and public perceptions of climate change. --The Baron, 12 July 2013
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