Germany set to buy more coal from S.Africa

[phantom power]

The coal barons are clearly pleased. You can practically see this guy rubbing his hands together.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Germany's plans to phase out nuclear power plants and shut coal mines will increase its dependence on coal from South Africa, the head of a coal trading firm said on Wednesday.

(...)

Germany has agreed with its utility companies to shut down all 17 atomic power plants -- currently its biggest source of electricity -- by the early 2020s.

(...)

Energy companies have sought legal means to keep nulear plants on line on the grounds they provide energy without producing the carbon dioxide emissions blamed for global warming, but Steifert said the phase-out was certain.

"It is quite apparent that nuclear energy in Germany is going to end ... and one of our main alternatives includes coal," Steifert said.

http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN556083.html

[NickB79]

1. There will still be people here on DU that will insist this doesn't mean anything

And that the solar German nirvana is right around the corner, the corner being in 2025/2040/2050/whenever.

[razzleberry]

2. in 1980, Sweden voted to phase out nuke by 2000 ...

and as far as I know,
Sweden has enough electricity.

I predict Germany will have a similiar experience.

[Dead_Parrot]

3. Sweden still has enough electricity...

...because they didn't phase out nuclear power. They still have it, and the majority of Swedes want to keep what they've got and/or build more.

For the record, nuclear produced just under half of Swedens energy in 2003 (the last year I've got figures for), with most of the rest being hydro.

[AlecBGreen]

4. *forehead smack*

they are going to SHUT DOWN functional nuclear power plants and REPLACE THEM with coal fired plants? :crazy:

And if that werent stupid enough, they are going to import the coal from halway around the ****ing world!?