German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggests postponing the closure of coal-fired power plants until the completion of new gas plants.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that the closure of the last coal-fired power plants could be postponed until the completion of new gas plants, emphasizing the importance of energy security. This proposal has generated controversy, with the renewable sector warning that a delay in the green transition could compromise Germany's climate goals. While Germany is committed to phasing out coal by 2038, Merz highlighted the need for backup capacity to balance the energy grid. The government plans to subsidize the expansion of gas plants, but the high costs for conversion to hydrogen require approval from the European Union.