Proposals have already been put forth by the Commission.
In the heart of Germany, the Rhenish coal mining region is on the brink of a significant transformation as it prepares for the coal phase-out by 2030. The strategies proposed for this transition focus on job retraining and diversification, energy infrastructure modernization, and leveraging regional assets for new industries.
Key strategies include employee retraining and job placement, development of renewable energy and battery storage, public works and social programs, water management and ecological concerns, energy security and structural change, and site development.
Employee retraining and job placement are at the forefront of RWE Power AG's plans. The company aims to systematically assess the skills of its 6,500 employees in lignite-based power generation, aligning them with future job requirements in fields like photovoltaic maintenance and wind farm operation. This retraining often utilizes internal resources, such as the mining school. However, not all employees will remain within RWE, necessitating external labor market placement.
The region is already investing in energy transition infrastructure, such as new large-scale battery storage facilities with a total capacity of 220 MW at Hamm and Neurath sites. These systems help stabilize the grid and support the shift to green energy, positioning the region as a vital hub for secure, renewable electricity supply. Further battery projects are planned, capitalizing on existing grid infrastructure and proximity to transmission lines.
Public works and social programs, although not region-specific, propose mobilizing labor and resources into renewable energy projects alongside a public job guarantee to prevent unemployment and ensure decent wages and working conditions. This model could be useful for managing labor market challenges in former coal communities.
Water management and environmental restoration are implicit components in the broader transition but lack explicit detail in the available sources. However, RWE's awareness of "transformation" and skills adaptation implies addressing environmental legacies like water usage and land restoration would be part of the transition planning.
Regional leaders emphasize the importance of supplying new energy forms (like batteries and renewables) for structural change. The Rhenish area's existing high-performance grid infrastructure and new electricity highways are assets for this transition.
The administration is tasked with outlining a short-, medium-, and long-term strategy for site development. The development of former power plant sites and RWE-owned land will involve the county and municipalities. The filling of the lakes with groundwater and Rhine water could take decades at best.
The county council is discussing the potential consequences of the coal phase-out happening before 2038, as proposed by the Minister President of NRW, Hendrik Wüst. Electricity demand is rising sharply due to the promotion of e-mobility, causing the price of electricity to be the highest in all 27 EU countries.
In summary, the strategies combine human capital development through targeted retraining, adaptation of energy infrastructure to renewables and storage, leveraging regional grid advantages, and the potential adoption of social policies like public job guarantees to manage economic and social impacts. The focus areas include site development, land use, job creation, training, infrastructure, and academic partnerships.
Science plays a crucial role in the transformation of the Rhenish coal mining region, with environmental science being particularly relevant due to the need for water management and ecological restoration. Additionally, the development of renewable energy and battery storage systems falls under the purview of general news and science, as these technologies are central to the region's energy transition.
Politics also plays a significant part in the region's future, as decisions regarding the coal phase-out, renewable energy investment, and social policies are made at both local and national levels. The discussions surrounding the potential consequences of an earlier coal phase-out by the Minister President of NRW, Hendrik Wüst, highlight the political implications of the transition.
