News | Headlines
New Charter for US National Coal Council
USA Coal power
The US Department of Energy on 15 January convened the first meeting of the National Coal Council (NCC) following US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s formal renewal of its charter, reversing the Biden Administration’s 2021 termination of the Council and reaffirming coal’s ‘essential role in America’s national and economic security’. The meeting marks the formal
implementation of that decision, restoring the National Coal Council as a key advisory body to inform coal policy, technology, and market considerations and pursues president Trump’s Executive Order ‘Renewing America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry’. “For years, the Biden Administration waged war on American coal, shutting down coal plants prematurely, decimating American communities and workers, while also driving up energy prices,” said secretary Wright.
“Coal remains a fundamental component
of America’s energy strategy, providing essential energy for America’s infrastructure and industries,” said Assistant Secretary for the Office of Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy, Kyle Haustveit. “The National Coal Council’s expert recommendations will be instrumental toward our efforts to modernise and extend the life of our existing coal assets while also supporting the growth of new coal power generation, exports, and product manufacturing.” In the coming months, four regional coal workshops will be held ‘to gather industry input that will inform Department programmes and ensure they reflect market realities, workforce needs, and technological progress.’
During the 15 January meeting the National Coal Council leadership was formally appointed. It is to be chaired by James Grech, president and CEO of prominent coal producer Peabody Energy.
1 GW Thor offshore wind farm granted production licence
Pernille Asgaard Haaning, CEO of RWE Renewables Denmark, commented: “This represents a key milestone on our journey to deliver Denmark’s largest offshore wind project. Once all turbines are fully operational, Thor will play a crucial role in achieving Denmark’s climate goals and in strengthening both Denmark’s and the EU’s energy security.” Construction of Thor is progressing according to plan. Last year, the offshore substation and all foundations for the 72 wind turbines were
Denmark Offshore wind The Danish Energy Agency has granted a 30-year electricity production licence to Thor offshore wind farm, marking a significant milestone for what will become Denmark’s largest offshore wind project. With an anticipated total installed capacity of 1.1 GW, Thor is expected to be fully operational by 2027.
successfully installed 22 km off the west coast of Jutland. Turbine installation is scheduled to commence from the Port of Esbjerg, Denmark this coming spring.
Thor wind farm is a joint project of RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%). RWE will manage construction and operations throughout the lifecycle of the project.
8 | January/February 2026 |
www.modernpowersystems.com
State-aided power plants ‘will be online by 2031
Germany Gas firing
Germany and the European Commission have agreed in principle to allow state support for new gas-fired power plants that can later be converted to run on hydrogen, with the first units due to be operational by 2031, reports Clean Energy Wire. The plan aims to ensure electricity supply security as Germany exits coal combustion and expands renewables.
The preliminary deal would allow the country to incentivise the construction of new backup gas-fired power plants with federal funds, said the country’s economy and energy ministry. “With the short-term tenders for twelve GW of new, additional controllable capacity, we are laying the foundation for a secure electricity supply in Germany in the future and thus for the competitiveness of our industry,” said economy minister Katherina Reiche. Under the agreement Germany will hold state support tenders for 12 GW of “controllable capacity” in 2026, such that ten GW of this volume, operational by 2031, that “must be able to generate electricity continuously over a longer period of time” [likely to be largely gas-fired power plants]. Further rounds of tenders will follow in 2027, and in 2029/2030 for “controllable capacity” that also must be available by 2031 (including existing power plants), and all newly built tendered gas-fired capacity must be hydrogen-ready, and decarbonise by 2045 at the latest. The phasing leaves open the option of carbon capture and storage.
Additional measures will incentivise the switch to hydrogen (2 GW by 2040, 2 GW by 2043) and tenders for support for the difference of the cost between hydrogen and fossil gas are to take place from 2027. The deal includes small changes to an agreement presented by the coalition government in November 2025. The government must now prepare the actual legislative reform for the European Commission to give the final green light for the state aid scheme.
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