Uniper Warns on German Coal Output as Rhine River Evaporates
(Bloomberg) -- Uniper SE warned of “irregular operation” at a key coal-fired plant in Germany as the company struggles to get fuel supplies along the Rhine River.
Water levels on the Rhine have fallen so low that the river may effectively close soon. Uniper’s 510-megawatt Staudinger-5 plant has limited volumes of coal on site and can’t easily get more, the company said in a filing.
Europe is already facing its worst energy-supply crunch in decades as Russia curbs natural gas supplies. The restriction of movement on the river, exacerbated by climate change, could disrupt the flow of everything from fuel to chemicals as governments try to prevent the energy crisis from tipping the region into recession.
Uniper expects the limitations to last until September, leaving just a few weeks before the start of the colder months, when coal will be needed to help plug the gap left by dwindling supplies of gas from Russia.
Low river levels are also impacting nuclear plants in France. A heat wave is pushing up water temperatures, limiting the ability of Electricite de France SA to cool some facilities.
The French utility said that power stations on the Rhone and Garonne rivers will likely produce less electricity in the coming days, but there will be a minimum level of output to keep the grid stable.
Power plants typically need cooling water that’s usually brought in from a nearby river or the sea before it’s returned, often at a higher temperature than when it came in. There are limits on how warm the water can be in order to protect fish and other aquatic life.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.
KEEPING THE ENERGY INDUSTRY CONNECTED
Subscribe to our newsletter and get the best of Energy Connects directly to your inbox each week.
By subscribing, you agree to the processing of your personal data by dmg events as described in the Privacy Policy.
More renewables news

ADNOC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to explore opportunities in low carbon ammonia and hydrogen markets
Dec 08, 2023
ADNOC awards US$1 mln piloting opportunity to Revterra
Dec 08, 2023
Trudeau’s Oil-Emissions Cut to Test Industry’s Climate Resolve
Dec 07, 2023
Canada Orders Emissions Cuts Up to 38% for Oil and Gas Firms
Dec 07, 2023
Carbon Capture Is Confusing. Here Are 14 Terms to Help Understand It
Dec 07, 2023
US Solar Set for Record-Breaking Year as Incentives Kick In
Dec 07, 2023
Wind-Power Deployments in US Drop to Lowest Level in Five Years
Dec 06, 2023
Next-Generation Plastic Recycling Plant Is Bet on Rising US Demand
Dec 06, 2023
China’s First Next-Gen Nuclear Reactor Enters Commercial Operations
Dec 06, 2023
Poland’s Next Government Halts Wind Energy Plans After Backlash
Dec 05, 2023
Nuclear energy to play a key role in the energy transition
Dec 08, 2023
Renewable energy is accelerating, but not fast enough
Dec 07, 2023
COP28 to drive investment in the energy transition
Dec 06, 2023
Technologies that can be super charged to meet climate goals
Dec 06, 2023
COP28 presents a strong opportunity for Nabors
Dec 05, 2023
Low carbon hydrogen holds the key to achieving net zero
Sep 29, 2023
The trillion-dollar opportunities on the road to net zero
Aug 16, 2023
Unlocking growth opportunities in sustainable finance
Jul 12, 2023
Decoding the trends shaping the future of energy
Jun 14, 2023
Exploring ESG’s critical role in the journey to net zero
May 18, 2023Partner content

IT/OT convergence: balancing agility and reliability

Technologies that can help the oil and gas industry decarbonise

World-class energy management systems can shape a sustainable future

Automation is the key to LNG present and the future scenario for hydrogen
