German Economy Minister Robert Habeck will reportedly reveal an emergency decree allowing the federal government to bring back the coal-powered and oil-fired facilities in case of gas shortages.
The plan, which is expected to be announced on Tuesday, is aimed at reducing the risks of potential gas shortfalls if supplies from Russia are halted, Bloomberg reports citing the proposed legislation.
“This request for additional coal-fired power generation only occurs when there is a gas shortage, or if there is a threat of a gas shortage and the gas consumption in power generation has to be reduced,” the draft law seen by the agency reads.
Germany has nearly six gigawatts of facilities that are now part of a national reserve, many of which were supposed to be closed down by 2030 as part of the coal phase-out program.
“We must complete the phase-out of coal in Germany by 2030. This is more important than ever in the current crisis,” according to the decree.