Germany's cabinet has approved the reactivation of lignite-fired power plants from October until the end of March 2024. This decision is aimed at addressing the scarcity of natural gas this winter and preventing shortages.

The move to reactivate coal-fired power plants and extend their operational lifespans follows Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a significant reduction in Russian gas imports to Germany. Last winter, these actions resulted in a total electricity output of 1.9 gigawatt-hours.

While gas bottlenecks have improved since the previous winter due to new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal deliveries, the government has decided to reactivate coal-fired power plants. It plans to propose measures by the summer of the following year to offset the increased carbon dioxide emissions resulting from these plants' operation this winter.