Germany upset again as it fact-checks Donald Trump over 'coal plant' comment
Berlin, Germany: German officials have taken issue with a statement made by President Donald Trump during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump reportedlt erroneouly claimed that "a coal-fired power plant comes online in Germany every week". He dismissed renewable energy efforts, stating, "they tried wind turbines and it didn’t work", while boasting about America’s fossil fuel dominance.
The remarks drew swift rebuttals from German officials. The Federal Ministry of Economics clarified that 18 coal plants were shut down in 2024, with no new ones added, reaffirming Germany’s commitment to a coal phase-out by 2038. Meanwhile, Germany is expanding renewables, which already supply over 50% of its electricity. The Federal Network Agency confirmed plans for new gas-fired power plants (not coal) by 2026, designed to supplement wind and solar energy—not revive coal.
Solar energy experienced substantial growth in Germany, reaching a record generation of 72.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024. Wind energy remained a significant contributor, though its growth slowed to 1% in 2024, the slowest pace in three years, due to low wind speeds and a deceleration in capacity expansion.
ALSO READ
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: Trump's China tariffs hit 145% as trade war heats up
Donald Trump's pick to lead BLM pulls out after her past comes back to haunt her
Electricity generation from lignite (brown coal) decreased by 8.4%, and hard coal usage dropped by 27.6% in 2024. Germany completed its nuclear phase-out in 2023, eliminating nuclear power from its energy mix.
But despite these advancements, Germany faces ongoing challenges. In 2024, Germany became a net importer of electricity, with imports exceeding exports by 31.9 TWh. This shift was influenced by higher domestic electricity prices compared to neighboring countries, while nNatural gas consumption increased by 3.3% in 2024
Trump’s comments appeared aimed at promoting US fossil fuels, as he praised "clean, beautiful coal" and America’s oil and gas reserves. He also suggested German automakers relocate production to the US due to "fewer taxes and regulations".