The Local Germany

Friday meeting may spell end to coal-powered energy in Germany

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 11:25:56 +0100

Friday’s Federal Coal Commission meeting in Berlin is set to decide upon the future of Germany’s energy generation.

Berlin agrees to compensate power firms for nuclear phase out

Wed, 23 May 2018 18:14:23 +0200

The German government approved a draft law on Wednesday that paves the way for energy giants RWE and Vattenfall to receive hundreds of millions of euros in compensation for the country's decision to phase out nuclear power.

Surprise, surprise: Angie still world’s most powerful Frau

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 10:39:33 +0200

The magazine for the business elite, Forbes, has named Angela Merkel the world's most powerful woman for the sixth year running. But will she hold on to the title next year?

Siemens settles Israel bribery case for €38m

Tue, 03 May 2016 10:30:06 +0200

German technology giant Siemens has agreed to pay €38 million to settle a corruption case in Israel, local media reported on Monday.

Computer virus found in Bavarian nuclear plant

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 20:07:16 +0200

A computer virus has been found in a nuclear power plant in Bavaria, but the power plant insists it does not pose a risk to the public or workers at the plant.

Energy firms: Merkel stole our assets with nuclear shutdown

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:13:58 +0100

Three energy giants Tuesday went to Germany's top court to challenge the decision by Chancellor Angela Merkel's government to phase out nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster five years ago.

Forbes: Merkel now more powerful than Obama

Thu, 05 Nov 2015 09:32:14 +0100

Chancellor Angela Merkel is now more powerful than US President Barack Obama, at least according to Forbes Magazine, which has published its annual list of the most powerful global figures.

Greenpeace mulls jump into brown coal biz

Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:06:05 +0200

It might sound like one of the environmental group's protest stunts, but Greenpeace insists it really does want to buy up a series of German brown coal mines and plants offered for sale by Swedish power company Vattenfall.

Power price drop isn't all good news

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:53:00 +0100

Power companies will drop their prices from January 2015 for the first time in over a decade, saving families up to €35 a year – but is it 'too little, too late'?

Energy giants pull plug on coal and nuclear

Sun, 18 Aug 2013 11:42:00 +0200

German power company RWE is shutting six domestic plants and rival E.ON is threatening to relocate to Turkey as the sector tots up the cost of the government's energy policy turnaround.

Germans wrap up to keep warm at home

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:03:00 +0100

As they see their energy bills rising, nearly half of Germans greet colder weather with an extra jumper rather than turning up the heating, a survey suggested on Wednesday.

Munich blackout hits 450,000 people

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:53:00 +0100

The worst power cut to hit Munich in 20 years threw the Bavarian capital into early morning chaos on Thursday. Thousands of commuters were left stranded as public transport ground to a halt and traffic lights went out.

Great green energy hope for Germany and India

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:10:00 +0200

As Germany and India mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, and with trade between the two countries booming, a huge opportunity is opening for the countries to cooperate in the renewable energy sector, argues Vijeta Rattani.

Minister: 30 percent power cost rise dubious

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:52:00 +0200

The Environment Minister dismissed warnings from power giants Vattenfall and RWE on Monday that electricity prices would increase by a third by 2020, as dubious.

Vattenfall: households will pay for green power

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:04:00 +0200

Private households in Germany will see their electricity prices soar to pay for the switch to renewable energy, while wholesale prices for big consumers would be unchanged, power group Vattenfall said on Tuesday.

Three killed in offshore wind farm construction

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:29:00 +0200

Building offshore wind parks can be a deadly occupation. Three construction workers have already drowned whilst working on German projects in the North and Baltic Seas. 80 serious accidents have been registered, it was reported Sunday.

Germany forced to buy Austrian electricity

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:12:00 +0100

One of Germany’s energy providers was forced to use reserves from Austrian power stations on two days in December as a "precautionary measure," according to a newspaper report.

Forgotten port bets future on wind power

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:22:00 +0200

The small German port of Cuxhaven is betting its future on North Sea wind, promoting itself as a base for new offshore wind farms as the country embarks on a bid to scrap nuclear power.

Brüderle: nuclear power exit to cost billions

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:49:00 +0200

German Economy Minister Rainer Brüderle said Friday that a switch from nuclear power to alternative forms of energy could cost Europe's top economy up to €2 billion ($2.9 billion) per year.

Ministry paper warns of looming power shortages

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:45:00 +0200

An internal paper from the Environment Ministry warns of electricity shortages in May as the government continues to scale back its use of nuclear power plants, a media report said Thursday.