Germany could turn back to coal if Russian gas dries up

Germany could turn to condemned coal plants to keep the lights on if Russia cuts off gas supplies this winter.

The plans drawn up by officials in Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck’s Economy Ministry are the latest stage of Germany’s emergency preparations after the war in Ukraine left it rueing its years-long reliance on Russian gas.

Draft legal proposals seen by The National would allow certain coal plants to reconnect to the power grid if Russian pipelines run dry, despite their operating licences being due to expire in 2022 or 2023.

The new laws would require operators to maintain sufficient coal reserves and would also keep a small amount of oil-fired electricity generation on standby. The coal plants would remain available in emergencies until March 2024.

Ministry sources said the proposals did not alter the aim of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition to phase out all coal power in Germany by 2030. The government, which includes Green party ministers such as Mr Habeck and has made tackling climate change a priority, brought forward a previous 2038 deadline when it came to office in December.

Coal is regarded as the most environmentally damaging fossil fuel. But the idling plants would not produce greenhouse gas emissions while on standby, the sources said, but would be moved to a higher state of readiness so they could be called upon at short notice.

They would be switched back on once the ministry issued a decree saying gas supplies are low or that such a shortage was imminent.

Despite the potential extension, “we must complete the exit from coal power by 2030,” the sources said. “In the current crisis that is more important than ever.”

Germany's Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, right, has urged people to save energy before this winter. EPA

The government would not force power companies to reactivate their coal plants in the event of a gas shortage but operators would be reimbursed for the cost of keeping them on high alert.

Officials have rejected a similar reprieve for Germany’s last three nuclear reactors, which are due to go offline at the end of this year.

A study by Mr Habeck’s Economy Ministry found a nuclear extension would be too technically difficult because fuel supplies are due to run out in December and safety certificates will have expired.

Mr Habeck activated the first phase of emergency energy plans in March and urged people to save power. The government believes there is enough gas for the summer but has identified next winter as the potential crunch point.

Germany’s grid regulator has held talks with major energy consumers about how energy could be rationed if there are power shortages in the colder months.

The country is racing to build liquid gas terminals so the fossil fuel can be shipped from other countries, such as the US, rather than arriving through pipelines from Russia.

Mr Habeck says Germany has largely succeeded in replacing Russian coal and oil, meaning it could impose a European embargo on those fuels. But the government does not expect to be independent of Russian gas before 2024.

While you're here

David Powell: Thanks to Brexit, support for independence is growing among Scots

Damien McElroy: Johnson must take heed to Churchill's comments on Irish divisions

Gavin Esler: For British territories, Brexit will amount to being cut off from Westminster

What is safeguarding?

“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.

SCORES

Multiply Titans 81-2 in 12.1 overs
(Tony de Zorzi, 34)

bt Auckland Aces 80 all out in 16 overs
(Shawn von Borg 4-15, Alfred Mothoa 2-11, Tshepo Moreki 2-16).

EA Sports FC 25

Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

RESULT

Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)

Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)

FROM%20THE%20ASHES

%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Our commentary on Brexit

Alistair Burt: Despite Brexit, Britain can remain a world power
Sam Williams: Departure is influenced by its sense of place

Pieces of Her

Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick

Director: Minkie Spiro

Rating:2/5

'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'

Rating: 3/5

Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro

Writers: Walter Mosley

Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins

Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows

Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.

Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.

The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.

After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.

The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.

The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.

But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.

It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.

Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs

UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv

Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium