Energy - The End of Jänschwalde Mine Doesn't Alter 2038 Phase-out for Leag, Says CEO
Even with the upcoming closure of the Jänschwalde mine, Leag, the energy company, remains adamant about mining coal in the Lusatia region well into the 30s, according to CEO Torsten Kramer. This statement was made during the Barbara celebration in Cottbus. Kramer expressed optimism about continuing coal extraction in the area, considering the long-term stability of supply.
Less than a year ago, Kramer had suggested a different timeline for the coal phase-out. He mentioned that under certain conditions, Leag could potentially be coal-independent by 2033. However, he reiterated that these conditions include maintaining supply security and establishing H2-ready power plants, which must be connected to the grid at four locations in Lusatia and the Central German mining area. Since these prerequisites are yet to be met, Leag remains bound by the legally binding coal phase-out schedule of 2038.
Mining activities at the Jänschwalde open-cast mine are scheduled to conclude on December 22, with a phase-out period lasting until spring. This period will involve stringent safety measures in the open-cast mine.
Hydrogen-capable power plants will replace the current coal-fired plants over time. Kramer acknowledged that the impasse in Berlin makes the current timeline challenging. The hydrogen supply is planned for 2030 and beyond. Despite the challenges, Kramer expressed confidence that this timeline still aligns with Leag's expansion plans. The Lusatia economic region plans to present a study on the "Hydrogen transportation network for Lusatia" this Monday.
Leag aims to transition into a green electricity operator by making significant strides in this direction. The development plans for photovoltaics (PV) and wind farms are already in progress. Construction of the first large-scale PV park with a capacity of 1000 megawatts is set to commence next year, with an aim for operations by 2026. By 2030, seven gigawatts of PV and wind power plants on post-mining areas should be able to meet the electricity needs of four million households. This volume is expected to increase to almost 14 gigawatts by 2040, with Leag planning a predominantly PV-based system (70%) and wind turbines (30%) on the sites.
- Insight from Enrichment Data:
The energy company LEAG is currently undergoing significant restructuring to adapt to the impending coal phase-out and maintain competitiveness in both its core and emerging markets[3]. The closure of the Jänschwalde opencast mine is likely part of this broader strategy, but the specific impact on the company's phase-out timeline is not available in the provided sources.
Source:
[3] reports the current coal phase-out plan for energy company LEAG is set for 2038.
