Plans to reactivate the Mellach coal-fired power station have been shelved for six months. Now comes the final rejection by Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens): The plans are no longer pursued.
In June last year, the federal government caused a sensation by announcing the reactivation of the Mellach coal-fired power station. That was the last of its kind to close in spring 2020. Now the weather should help in emergencies.
Everything seemed on track, but in August the SPÖ prevented the necessary energy control regulation in the National Council. This stipulates that affected power plant operators will be reimbursed for the costs of the conversion. Talks between the government and the opposition were announced, but never seemed to get off the ground.
“We have other priorities”
Now the final end for the plans. Gewessler told the ORF in Graz on Thursday: “We have other priorities at the moment.” Other measures have been taken and we are well prepared for the rest of the winter.
The association did not want to start with conversion, personnel and coal purchasing without an arrangement (and thus guarantee reimbursement of the high costs). Purchasing the coal, which is in high demand on the world market, is considered the “most time-critical part”, according to Verbund, “since transport logistics must also be taken into account”. Before the winter of 2022/23, reactivation was no longer a problem anyway.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
