GERMANY IN A WORLD OF ENERGY HURT TO ITS ECONOMY SINCE CLAIMING A GOAL TO CUT ITS CO2 EMISSION BY 40% BY 2020 THEREFORE REDUCING ITS ENERGY OUTPUT FROM NUCLEAR POWER AND THUS IT INCREASES COAL FIRED ENERGY TO MEET DEMANDS WHILST SHUTTING DOWN ITS 8 NUCLEAR PLANTS AND 9 OTHERS BY 2020 - GRAPPLING TO INCREASE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY THAT JUST CAN’T PRODUCE THE SAME AMOUNT OF ENERGY FROM PROVEN COAL AND NUCLEAR POWER THAT PRODUCES 60% OF GERMANY’S ENERGY

Following the disaster at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan 4 years ago, Germany's leaders decided to phase out nuclear power. They face a dilemma. They want to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but much of the country's electricity production depends on coal.

Germany's leaders aim to cut CO2 emissions by 40% by 2020. They plan for renewable energy to provide at least 80% of electricity by 2050. That's a big jump from the current level of 25%.

The government's been actively promoting solar, wind and other renewable sources, but they depend largely on the weather. Until just a few years ago, Germany depended on nuclear power for more than 20% of its total electricity output.

Operations were immediately halted at 8 aging nuclear plants in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster. There are plans to shut down 9 others by the end of 2022. The shift has been toward coal-fired thermal power generation, which can produce a constant and stable supply of electricity.

In recent years, demand has increased for lignite, also known as soft coal. It is inexpensive and profitable for mine operators. In 2013, 183 million tons were mined in the country, an increase of more than 10% from 2009.

Mining companies often pay compensation to the entire population of small tows to relocate. Then they begin digging.

Coal currently accounts for over 40% of Germany's total electricity production. If industries continue to burn coal at this rate, officials fear they may not be able to meet their ambitious emissions targets.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/worldupdate/20150714.html