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Although Germany had proposed to reduce the use of coal as much as possible, now it has its power plants based on this mineral again, while using the reduced supply of gas that comes from Russia as a reserve for the winter. Berlin began its search for coal-providing countries and sees an option in Colombia, although it looks closely at the socio-environmental impact that this decision may generate.
Despite the fact that it wants to do without fossil fuels, the German government has been forced to reactivate a coal plant that was in a reserve situation just when Russia decided to cut off gas supplies that arrive through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline and while the continent prepares for the coldest season of the year.
The German Ministry of Economy and Climate had approved on July 14 a plan that allowed a plant in Lower Saxony, in the center of the country, to resume operations after a pause period.
As part of this goal, Germany had already started shutting down its largest nuclear plants by the end of 2021; but without the atomic source and without coal, and only receiving 20% of the capacity of the largest Russian gas transporter to Europe, now the country hopes not only to once again have this mineral, which has been classified as unfriendly to the environment environment, but the Liberal Party (FPD) and Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz have also proposed activating at least three nuclear plants that were deactivated.
The challenge of energy production without affecting the environment
With very few options and with a goal of climate neutrality by 2050, Germany began a race to find who would supply it with coal.
Colombia, as the country with the largest open-pit coal mine in Latin America, has been one of the candidates to do energy business with the European nation, but although it seems like a deal with which both parties will benefit, the exploitation of the Fossil fuel has a considerable impact on the population and the environment.
Members of the German Parliament traveled to La Guajira, in northern Colombia, to analyze the feasibility of buying coal from this South American country.
“The mine has a significant impact on the region in terms of drinking water supply and also air pollution. The mining company of course tells me that everything is perfect and that they have it under control, but during our visit they did not mine. (…) As I am a fan of the subject, I know the difference,” said Kathrin Henneberger, representative of the German Green Party.
One of the conclusions of the mission has to do with the concern about the environmental repercussions and the complaints of the community related to the mining exploitation.
“Before, we had all the water we needed. Since the company is here, we are running out of water. We lack food. Many children have died of hunger and thirst,” said Leobardo Sierra, leader of the Wayuu community who spoke to France 24. And the fact is that the mine has 24 million liters of water a day to spray roads and send coal, liters of scarce water in a semi-desert region that has constant humanitarian problems due to the lack of liquid.
Facing the inauguration of Gustavo Petro, the first left-wing president in the history of Colombia, the leader defends the construction of an energy transition while replenishing the coffers of the State.
As long as coal mining continues to be an energy option for Germany and Colombia, everything indicates that both countries will benefit from a negotiation that could arise in the context of gas rationing in Europe.
with EFE
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