Amusing Tales Of A Coal Bottleneck In Germany & The Failure To Plan

Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk.com,

Germany is increasingly dependent on coal, but river levels are too low to transport it. Let’s also compare Germany’s failure to plan vs Biden’s lack of planning.

Shipping News, Coal Edition

Here’s an amusing story about Germany’s increasing dependence on coal via Eurointelligence. 

One of the more shocking statistics about German electricity production is that coal constituted some 32% in the third quarter of 2021. Coal is not only the largest single source of power generation in Germany. Its share has been rising, up from 26.4% from a year earlier. The reason is the increase in gas prices. The withdrawal of three nuclear power stations at the beginning of this year, and the remaining three at the beginning of next year, will lead to a further increase in the proportion of coal in energy production. Robert Habeck [Vice-Chancellor of Germany] wants coal to become the fallback in case Russia cuts off the gas. So there could a massive short-term increase in coal production.

Except the industry is not ready for it. One big problem is transportation. We reported on the falling levels of the river Rhine, and its huge role for Germany’s supply chain. This is where all the heavy stuff is transported, like coal. Germany has no problems importing coal, but struggles to get the coal to power stations. Apart from low water levels, the capacity of Germany’s logistics industry is being used up to transport wheat and other cereals from Ukraine. The rail system is also overloaded. Transportation infrastructure is fixed in the short run. And since coal production is ultimately doomed, nobody has invested in long-term transportation infrastructure projects, and we presume nobody will.

The reason for the lack of investment is the government’s plan to phase out coal production by 2030. What they did not see coming is the reversal of the downward trend in global production that started last year and that, we presume, will have continued this year. Habeck’s plan to expand coal production further in case of a Russian gas embargo came as a shock to the industry, as Bild reports. They were not prepared for this. It means the decommissioned coal-fired power stations would have to be dusted off and rekindled. They also haven’t invested in staff.

Remarkably Stupid in Many Ways

Angela Merkel mothballed nuclear power plants to appease the Greens.

The Nord Stream II natural gas pipeline is ready to deliver gas but is totally shut down due to sanctions

Nord Stream I needs repairs but sanctions limited availability of parts

Rather than put the nuclear plants back in production Germany is resorting to more coal but supply constraints hinder getting the coal to the plants.

German Greens would rather use more coal than nuclear.

Sanctions have driven up the price of natural gas so much that Germany is discussing rationing natural gas.

Coal is the single largest method of generating electricity in Germany, 32 percent in the third quarter of 2021 up from 26.4 percent. It’s use is undoubtedly higher today.

Well Done Germany!

Also note Germany’s Climate Protection Minister Mandates More Coal to Produce Electricity

And Let’s Investigate Alleged EU Environmental and Climate Change Progress

This is what happens when you mandate green energy and have no legitimate plan to get there. 

US vs Germany

In the US, president Biden had no realistic plan to phase out fossil fuels but sought to mandate targets anyway.

Fortunately, on July 15, I was pleased to report Hooray! Senator Manchin Finally Kills Biden’s Build Back Better Initiative

Unfortunately, Biden Declares Climate Emergency to demand more green energy.

Fortunately, I expect the Supreme Court to nix whatever Progressive nonsense Biden concocts to deal with climate change. See the above link for discussion.

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