In 2022, the German, Dutch, Austrian, and French governments announced emergency gas saving measures amid the European energy crisis, and potential disruptions in gas deliveries stemming from the Russian-Ukraine war. These measures include diverting fossil gas from use in power generation to strategic gas reserves. To make up for lost power generation capacity, these governments have placed 26 coal-fired power plants with a total installed capacity of 13,470 megawatts on standby status. In a scenario in which these plants run at 65% capacity in 2023, an additional 30.7 million tons of CO₂ would be emitted.
Potential impacts of re-opening coal power plants on emissions and climate commitments in the European Union in 2023
* Figures represent the impacts of ramping up capacity of 26 coal-fired power plants located in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, and France.
Figures are based on a "worst case" scenario in which hard coal power plants run at 65% capacity in 2023. This would be done in an effort to divert fossil gas from use in power generation to strategic reserves.
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Ember. (July 13, 2022). Potential impacts of re-opening coal power plants on emissions and climate commitments in the European Union in 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326617/eu-effects-of-increased-coal-power-consumption/
Ember. "Potential impacts of re-opening coal power plants on emissions and climate commitments in the European Union in 2023." Chart. July 13, 2022. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326617/eu-effects-of-increased-coal-power-consumption/
Ember. (2022). Potential impacts of re-opening coal power plants on emissions and climate commitments in the European Union in 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326617/eu-effects-of-increased-coal-power-consumption/
Ember. "Potential Impacts of Re-opening Coal Power Plants on Emissions and Climate Commitments in The European Union in 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Jul 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326617/eu-effects-of-increased-coal-power-consumption/
Ember, Potential impacts of re-opening coal power plants on emissions and climate commitments in the European Union in 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326617/eu-effects-of-increased-coal-power-consumption/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Potential impacts of re-opening coal power plants on emissions and climate commitments in the European Union in 2023 [Graph], Ember, July 13, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326617/eu-effects-of-increased-coal-power-consumption/
