Lignite power plants – The Germans are the lignite deal still expensive … – Süddeutsche.de

Vattenfall sells its lignite-division to the Czech Republic – and steals from its responsibilities.

Comment by Michael Bauchmüller

not knowing

The Czech “Energetický a průmyslový holding” is no shame. The company, briefly EPH, is eventually less than ten years old, founded it was used by investment bankers. Rarely it occurs under this name, it often operates through nested subsidiaries, which can be sometimes traced in tax havens. But now it is high time that employ policies and taxpayers in this country closely at EPH. Otherwise there is a thick end

This weekend namely the Swedish government given the green light for the recent deal Prague unknowns:. EPH must assume the lignite-division of Vattenfall on 1 August. Thus, the holding company owner of the second largest lignite-mining area, together with its 7500 employees, including all burdens and duties. If EPH commitment in Lausitz seriously, the young company binds decades to the region in the southeast of the Republic, even then, when the bucket wheel rust long. For the restoration of former mining operations, the permanent management of groundwater, the employees laid off employees – to all that he should now take care of a company that is not even there were ten years ago

Quick away with it

The Swedish Vattenfall wants to separate from the unpopular German business. The only prospect is a Czech energy company. But the raises questions. By Michael Bauchmüller and Silke Bigalke more …

numbers must end up German taxpayer, not Swedish

the Swedish state company Vattenfall had more pleasure in the business lost. First, because the climate-damaging lignite bad with the aspirations of the government tolerates home to curb carbon dioxide emissions. Then, because of falling prices on the electricity exchanges bothers even the relatively cheap lignite. Also Vattenfall admits that allows the power plants currently barely profitable operate

And finally, because the brown coal has suffered a massive loss of image lately. A few years ago it was considered essential domestic energy sources. Meanwhile it is only in the criticism: Not only because it transforms entire regions in lunar landscapes. But even more so, because their degradation so do not be reconciled with climate protection. For the environmental lobby has now taken on the role of nuclear power, as the main enemy number one. but your fan base shrinks

All of these risks has EPH system sold -. and let the Vattenfall even pay royally. 1.6 billion euro, the Sweden it in cash in order to get rid of their unloved business can. Nevertheless found among the more well-known energy companies in Europe not one who wanted to take the Lausitz lignite. So what will EPH that others do not want?

The company points out that could recover the prices on the electricity exchanges also. Lasse sell electricity at higher prices, the lignite will become profitable again, all future obligations were easy to operate. ? And if not

The deal with EPH’s irresponsibility with announcement

Another scenario is palpable: EPH makes checkout and disappears. For five years, the contract binds the Czech investors. For three years they can skim no dividends, a further two years to tap only “normal service returns” – then drop all barriers. In the past two EPH’s major shareholders have shown some skill in the founding of subsidiaries. It appears that they have no difficulty in deporting also be responsible for the expense of brown coal Business artfully after they have managed aside the Swedish billion. The government in Stockholm was all that matter. Numbers have indeed at the end of German taxpayers, not Swedish.

With the after-effects of nuclear power, the federal government has recently had similar experiences. Again, was not at all certain that the company – after decades of good profits – the cost of nuclear waste still would be able to shoulder. Now a fund to cover the costs; companies need to fill it with billions, while they still can.

Also in the lignite should federal and state governments begin quickly to secure the financing of the lignite-term consequences. In the case of Lausitz affected countries could demand guarantees, such as in the form of guarantees, the mining law allows. The federal government should – in analogy to nuclear power – take precautions that investors do not outsource their responsibilities to shell companies. The EPH-Deal is irresponsibility with announcement. Whoever is not surprising is that is complicit

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coal to coal

the energy companies are willing to take the most polluting lignite Meiler from the mains. However, they receive a high compensation. The price paid by consumers – again. From Cerstin Gammelin more …