In fact, the intention was that politicians would give the green light on Tuesday to put the coal-fired power station in Mellach (Styria), which was shut down in 2020, back into operation. But the opposition currently appears to be unanimously refusing approval. Not the only hurdle: The search for coal is especially difficult. This winter, somehow, the system remains cold.
On a Sunday evening in June, the federal government caused a bang: it announced that the coal-fired power station in Mellach south of Graz, which was shut down two years ago and then the last one in Austria, is being reactivated. The war in Ukraine and the gas crisis made the previously unthinkable possible.
Now, two months later, the plan is shaky again: the National Council’s main committee would give the green light on Tuesday for the emergency ordinance (or rather: ordinance on natural gas control measures), which regulates, among other things, the reactivation of Mellach. For that, the turquoise-green federal government needs a two-thirds majority.
SPÖ announces veto
But that doesn’t show up. The SPÖ announced its veto. Last week the Social Democrats approved a number of conditions, such as that extra costs resulting from the switch from gas to coal and oil should not be passed on to energy customers. “We are always ready to discuss,” SPÖ deputy club president Jörg Leichtfried said on Tuesday.
For the FPÖ, the main committee meeting is a “reality check” for the government’s energy and sanctions policy. “It failed this test,” said energy spokesman Axel Kassegger. “In addition, many questions have not been clarified at all.” The Neos are also critical of the regulations. “Energy suppliers like EVN or Verbund are making more profit than ever, they certainly don’t need taxpayers’ money at the moment,” says energy spokeswoman Karin Doppelbauer. The regulation is “fully tailored to the needs of energy suppliers”.
Gewessler: ‘SPÖ totally irresponsible’
Minister of Climate Protection Leonore Gewessler (Greens) attacks the SPÖ in particular. Their behavior was “completely irresponsible”. A reactivated coal-fired power station in Mellach could provide electricity and heat to 260,000 households in an emergency. “I hold the SPÖ responsible if families and children’s homes remain cold.” Club officials August Wöginger of the ÖVP and Sigi Maurer of the Greens also criticized the SPÖ’s planned voting behavior as “grossly irresponsible”.
But would it even be possible to reboot Mellach? In terms of technology, the power plant operator, the energy company Verbund, was confident from the start: the plant is not obsolete, just some conversion work is required.
Offers obtained on the world market
The challenges lie elsewhere, especially when it comes to coal mining. “It is difficult to get offers in the global market. But they are in the house,” says union spokeswoman Ingun Metelko. Because not only in Austria, but also in many other countries, climate-damaging coal is experiencing an unexpected boom.
Incidentally, securing transport capacity is even more difficult, according to Metelko. Nearly half a million tons of coal would be needed in full operation, but Mellach must only secure supplies in emergencies, such as gas shutdowns. It will be difficult to find the right timing here.
No help yet this winter
The group is also looking for qualified personnel. A maximum of 50 people are required, some may return from boarding. The restart of the power plant is expected in the spring of 2023 – if the politicians still give the green light. The “reserve” may in any case not be available for the coming winter, when the gas supply stops.
Source: Krone
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