Coal-fired power plants are plants that are used to generate electrical energy by burning coal. These power plants have a long history in many countries, including Austria, as the main source of electricity generation. Their operation is based on burning coal to generate steam, which then drives turbines to produce electrical energy.

In Austria, coal-fired power generation plays a smaller role than in many other European countries. In 2020, only around 5% of total electricity consumption came from coal-fired power plants, while a significant proportion of energy generation came from renewable sources such as hydropower, wind and solar. Nevertheless, the operation of coal-fired power plants remains under discussion, as they cause high CO2 emissions compared to renewable energies.

At European level, the trend is clear: many countries are aiming to phase out coal-fired power plants in order to achieve the EU's climate targets and promote the transition to a low-carbon economy. The EU Commission has proposed concrete measures to reduce the use of fossil fuels, especially coal, and increase the share of renewable energies.

A key aspect of the debate on coal-fired power plants is their role in the security of energy supply. Coal-fired power plants offer a stable source of energy that can provide power regardless of weather conditions or time of day. This stability is seen as important, especially in times when the share of renewables in the energy mix is increasing and security of supply could be jeopardised.

Nevertheless, the operation of coal-fired power plants is increasingly seen as incompatible with climate targets. Coal-fired power plants are responsible for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions and many governments are focussing on transforming the energy system in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In Austria, the aim is to reduce the share of coal-fired power generation to zero by 2030 and to focus on renewable energies.

Various measures are required to support the transition to renewable energies. These include investing in renewable energy infrastructure, developing energy storage systems and improving energy efficiency. In Austria, work is already underway to implement these strategies in order to create a sustainable and secure energy mix.

To summarise, coal-fired power plants have played a significant role in the past of energy generation, but need to be re-evaluated in light of the challenges of climate change and the need to reduce CO2 emissions. Austria and other European countries face the challenge of making the transition from fossil fuels to renewables in order to secure a sustainable energy supply and achieve climate targets.