Closure of Coal Plants in Europe: 2025-2026 Timeline

Closure of Coal Plants in Europe: 2025-2026 Timeline

The European continent is on the brink of a massive transformation in energy history. Once the engine of the industrial revolution, coal is now giving way to cleaner alternatives in line with the "Green Deal" targets. The years 2025 and 2026 will be among the most critical junctures of this transformation. In this article, we examine the process of coal power plant closures in Europe through country-based analyses and technical details.

Europe's Coal Exit Strategy: Overview

The European Union has set a goal to become the world's first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. At the heart of this vision is the complete removal of coal, which has the highest carbon intensity in electricity generation, from the system. The years 2025 and 2026 will not only mark a period when old plants are shut down but also a testing phase where the stability of the grid transitions from fossil fuels providing "base load" to renewable energy.

Key Drivers of the Transformation:

• ETS (Emissions Trading System): The rise in carbon prices has made coal plants economically unsustainable.

• Renewable Energy Costs: Dramatic decreases in the costs of solar and wind energy.

• Geopolitical Necessity: The quest for energy independence following the Russia-Ukraine war.

1. United Kingdom: The End of the Coal Age

Despite being the birthplace of coal, the United Kingdom has become the largest economy to abandon this fuel the fastest. The period of 2025-2026 will be recorded as the first years of the "post-coal" era for England.

Timeline and Policy

In September 2024, the last coal plant in England, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, officially closed. Therefore, 2025 and 2026 will be the first full calendar years without coal for England.

• 2025 Goal: The complete replacement of the last 1-2% share vacated by coal with renewable sources.

• Policy: Leadership of the "Powering Past Coal Alliance."

What Comes Next?

England is filling the void left by coal with massive offshore wind farms and new generation SMR (Small Modular Reactors) projects. Additionally, clean energy is being imported from Norway and France through interconnectors running under the North Sea.

2. Germany: Europe's Energy Giant Struggles

Germany is the largest coal consumer in Europe. For a country that uses both lignite (brown coal) and hard coal (black coal), the years 2025-2026 mark the beginning of planned significant farewells.

2025-2026 Closure Schedule

Energy Policy: "Kohleausstieg"

Germany had originally aimed for a coal exit by 2038; however, the current government is trying to pull this date forward to 2030. During the 2025-2026 period, especially the closure of lignite plants in the Rhine region poses a significant logistical challenge for industrial areas.

What Comes Next?

• Green Hydrogen: Sites of former coal plants are being transformed into hydrogen production centers.

• Solar Panel Boom: Massive solar fields are being established, particularly in Bavaria and Saxony.

• Natural Gas (Transition Fuel): "Hydrogen-ready" natural gas plants are playing a short-term balancing role.

3. France: Nuclear and Beyond

France, which derives about 70% of its energy production from nuclear, is one of the countries with the lowest dependence on coal. However, the situation of the remaining few plants will become clear in 2025-2026.

Timeline

France has only two main coal plants left: Saint-Avold and Cordemais.

• 2025: The government has allowed these plants to remain as backup power at low capacity.

• 2026: The complete transition of the Cordemais plant to biomass fuel or its closure is planned.

Policy and Impact

France's strategy aims to completely remove coal from the equation and maximize the nuclear and renewable synergy within the framework of the "Low Carbon Energy Law." The closed coal capacity (approximately 1.8 GW) is more than compensated by the newly commissioned Flamanville 3 EPR nuclear reactor.

4. Italy: The Sun Rises in the Mediterranean

Italy is following a quite aggressive timeline for exiting coal. The year 2025 has been designated as the "coal-free" year for mainland Italy.

2025 Critical Year

The Italian energy giant Enel has committed to closing all coal plants in Italy by 2025.

• Civitavecchia (Torrevaldaliga Nord): 1.9 GW capacity. Expected to close by the end of 2025.

• Brindisi (Federico II): 2.6 GW capacity. Gradual closure will be completed in 2025.

Exception: Sardinia Island

Plants on Sardinia Island may show flexibility until 2026-2028 due to energy supply security, but the mainland will have bid farewell to coal by the end of 2025.

What Comes Next?

Italy is making massive investments in solar energy and energy storage (battery) systems by leveraging its geographical advantage. Additionally, coal plants are being transformed into data centers or renewable energy parks due to logistical advantages.

5. Poland: The Most Challenging Transformation

For Poland, Europe's coal "fortress," the process is much more painful compared to other countries. Poland still derives more than 60% of its electricity production from coal.

2025-2026 Expectations

In Poland, 2025 and 2026 will be years of "modernization and downsizing" rather than major closures. However, some units of massive plants like Bełchatów (Europe's largest polluter) are set to be decommissioned starting in 2026 due to efficiency declines.

• Policy: Poland has pledged to close coal mines by 2049, but a ramp-up in wind investments (Baltic Sea) is expected after 2025 on the electricity production side.

• NABE Project: The state is trying to manage the process by consolidating coal assets under the "National Energy Security Agency" (NABE).

Total Capacity Impact and Grid Security

During the 2025-2026 period, approximately 15-20 GW of coal capacity is expected to be decommissioned across Europe. This amount is equivalent to the energy needs of millions of households.

Risks and Opportunities:

• Dark Decay (Dunkelflaute): Could there be a lack of base load on winter days when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine? Experts indicate that increased battery capacities and flexible demand management will minimize this risk.

• Economic Impact: Job losses in coal regions are being attempted to be offset by new technology job sectors financed by the EU's "Just Transition Fund."

Conclusion: The Last Dance of Coal

The closure of coal plants in Europe has become not only an environmental necessity but also an economic reality. The years 2025 and 2026 will be recorded as the years when England solidified its coal-free leadership, Italy ended coal on the mainland, and Germany experienced significant transformation pains.

For energy researchers and policymakers, this process serves as a living laboratory demonstrating "not how to detach from fossil fuels," but "how to do it most efficiently."