Talking about the failure of “renewables” is still a taboo in Germany, but this failure is acknowledged by many behind closed doors. Although discussion of turning back from the planned exit from nuclear power is still suppressed, perhaps other lessons can be drawn?
Government approval finally came for opening the Datteln 4 coal-fired power plant to go on-line. The plant, the most modern in Europe, has a very high thermal efficiency, is planned to provide 40% of its energy to running the German rail system, and will also supply efficient district heating.
Datteln 4 was fiercely opposed by environmentalists for many years, and until recently, the plant was certain to be turned into a museum piece despite its being completed at a price of several billion euros. Perhaps this opens the door to resuming construction of modern coal power facilities—of which about 20 billion euros of suspended investments exist in Germany.
