German Energy Plan ‘Schizophrenic’ as Coal Beats Gas, Greens Say
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Germany’s renewable-energy drive is boosting carbon emissions by spurring coal-fed electricity generation at the expense of cleaner-burning natural gas, Lower Saxony’s environment minister said.
“What we are seeing is the schizophrenic situation of the renaissance of lignite plants while efficient power plants don’t get a chance to enter the market,” Stefan Wenzel, a member of the opposition Green party, said Sept. 11 in an interview in Munich. Lower Saxony has the biggest share of installed wind farms in Germany, according to wind power lobby group BWE.