Three EU Countries Have Closed Out Coal

Sweden becomes the third European country to close its last coal power plant

Michelle Lewis, Apr. 22, 2020 (Electrek)

Just days after Austria shut its last coal power plant, Sweden has followed suit…Belgium shut down its last coal power station in 2016…[Sweden’s] mild winter has meant that that reserve has not had to be used, and now it is closed down for good…[The goal is to transition to] renewable or recycled energy…[Sweden expects] emissions will be reduced by about half…With Sweden going coal free in the same week as Austria, the downward trajectory of coal in Europe is clear…[Against the backdrop of the [today’s] serious health challenges, leaving coal behind in exchange for renewables is expected to lead to] improved health, climate protection, and more resilient economies…

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According to Europe Beyond Coal, six more countries are expected to follow suit by 2025 or earlier, including France (2022), Slovakia and Portugal (2023), the UK (2024), Ireland (2025), and Italy (2025)…Five more will drop coal by 2030 or earlier, which is the necessary end date for coal generation in Europe for the continent to be in line with the Paris Agreement. This includes Greece (2028), the Netherlands and Finland (2029), and Hungary and Denmark (2030)…Discussions are currently under way in the Czech Republic, Spain, and North Macedonia over when to exit coal…Germany intends to exit coal by 2038…” click here for more

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