RWE’s CEO Reiterates 2030 Coal Phase-Out, Outlines Contingency Conditions
Markus Krebber, CEO of energy giant RWE, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to phasing out coal-fired power generation in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) by March 2030, as agreed upon with both federal and state authorities. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Krebber outlined the conditions under which the company would consider extending operations beyond this date.
According to Krebber, a review of the situation is scheduled for 2026. If policymakers then determine that a coal reserve is necessary, RWE would be prepared to continue operations, but under specific stipulations. These include the state assuming responsibility for organizing the reserve and financing the required carbon emission certificates. RWE would then operate the facilities solely on a cost-reimbursement basis, acting as an agent for the government.
RWE is organizationally prepared for both outcomes. Planning within the company is already aligned with the 2030 shutdown. Maintaining a reserve capacity for an additional three years is feasible, a commitment made to policymakers as part of the 2030 phase-out agreement. Currently, RWE employs approximately 6,000 staff in its coal operations, a number expected to decrease to around 2,000 by 2030. Krebber emphasized the importance of planning certainty for employees, noting that any policy decision to extend operations beyond 2030 would necessitate a review of internal plans. RWE currently operates three open-pit mines in NRW and is the largest provider of lignite-based electricity in the region.
A resurgence of nuclear power in Germany appears unlikely, according to Krebber. He noted that widespread societal acceptance is a prerequisite for investment in any technology and he does not foresee such acceptance for nuclear power at the scale needed for significant investments. RWE’s German nuclear power plants are currently undergoing decommissioning.
Looking ahead, RWE is actively evaluating both existing and emerging power generation technologies. This includes exploring the development of fusion technology and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as are being planned in the United States. Whether investments in these technologies will be possible in Germany in the coming decades remains contingent on societal acceptance and the evolving regulatory framework.