German Minister Warns Coal Exit By 2030 Is Impossible

NRW state premier says coal exit by 2030 is impossible

An end to coal-fired power generation in Germany by 2030 is impossible, according to Armin Laschet, the state premier of coal mining state North Rhine-Westphalia, and a member of Angela Merkel’s Conservatives (CDU). Wind and solar power will not be able to provide the electricity needed by energy-intensive industry by that date, Laschet told newswire dpa. “I believe it will take longer than 2030, but it might not take until 2045,” Laschet said, with reference to existing lignite mining permits valid until 2045.