Bavaria's Transition from Coal Power

The Zolling coal-fired power plant in Bavaria, operated by Onyx Power, has officially ceased regular operations, marking a significant milestone in the region's energy transition. Although the plant will be kept in grid reserve and can be restarted if necessary, its closure underscores the shift towards more sustainable energy sources.

The Zolling energy park continues to function with additional facilities, including a biomass cogeneration plant, ensuring that 140 employees will remain at the site. Recent operations had seen the burning of approximately half a million tons of hard coal.

Approval for the shutdown came from both Onyx Power and the transmission system operator Tennet, as sanctioned by the Federal Network Agency. Green politician Martin Stümpfig heralds this development as a substantial achievement for Germany's energy transition, coinciding with a record share of renewable energy reaching 59% in 2024, and a notable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.