Saxony demands clarity for eastern German coalfields

Saxony has demanded clarity for its own coalfields following the EU Commission's decision to compensate the energy company RWE. "The one-sided decision in favor of the compensation payment for RWE is a disappointment from Saxony's point of view. One gets the impression that the federal government is not doing enough for the lignite companies in eastern Germany, Leag and Mibrag," explained Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) in Dresden on Monday. He now expects a quick solution for the 1.75 billion euros promised by the federal government.

According to Kretschmer, there is now security for RWE and the Rhenish mining area. This is good news for this region and its people. "The fact that the federal government has not succeeded in creating the same security for Central Germany and Lusatia is bitter, especially as the economic challenges are greatest in Lusatia. The companies and employees have complied with all the rules of the lignite phase-out. They - as well as all the people who live in the mining areas - expect exactly that from the federal government." Recultivation, social measures and new business areas - all of this depends on the money.

Economics Minister Martin Dulig (SPD) also insisted on rapid clarity. This compensation is particularly important for the coal mining region in Lusatia, as it is to be used directly for restructuring after the end of coal mining. The decision in Brussels must now be made promptly. "If the decision is negative, the federal government is obliged to pay the compensation for the early phase-out - as contractually agreed between the federal government and Leag."

After the decision in Brussels, Germany will be allowed to pay RWE 2.6 billion euros in state aid for the coal phase-out. "The aid will compensate RWE for the premature closure of its lignite-fired power plants in the Rhenish coalfield," the EU Commission announced in Brussels. According to the German coal phase-out law, no more electricity will be generated from coal from 2038. In their coalition agreement, the coalition parties SPD, Greens and FDP had agreed to "ideally" bring forward the coal phase-out to 2030.