Matěj Moravanský: The end of coal in Central and Eastern Europe? Plans exist, but obstacles remain

Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024

Central and Eastern Europe plan coal phase-outs, but job losses and political resistance slow progress across nations.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Most countries in Central and Eastern Europe are planning to phase out coal-fired power plants to meet EU climate goals, with deadlines set for various years; Slovakia and Hungary are currently phasing it out, while others have set dates like 2032 or 2033. However, job losses in coal regions slow the process. Poland faces significant resistance due to its heavy reliance on coal, with no clear deadline established, though some suggest 2049, which experts deem too far off. Bulgaria also worries about job losses but plans a transition by 2032 using natural gas and renewables, while seeing a boom in solar power. In the Czech Republic, concerns are raised over potential layoffs at coal plants owned by Pavel Tykač, though some argue his statements serve financial motives related to capacity payments that could prolong fossil fuel use. Experts stress the urgent need for Central and Eastern Europe to rapidly adopt clean energy sources like solar and wind to avoid future economic and security risks.


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